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No one enjoys suffering. Every follower of Jesus will experience some kind of trial or suffering. Suffering could be in the form of chronic pain, cancer, disability, a broken relationship or an ongoing battle against continuing sins. But why does a loving and merciful God allow suffering to take place? One of the most important reason is suffering often brings one closer to God. When we suffer, we tend to get isolated and remain still and silent. On personal reflection at such times we get to know and understand God better. God is intensely concern about every one of His children in their trials and afflictions. That’s where the issue of the God of all comfort surfaces because we are never alone whatever the pain or loss/grief might be. We seek comfort through total dependence on Jesus who went through all kinds of pain, trials and afflictions during His life on earth. God is more interested in molding our character. Trials can make us bitter or better. We are “strong (in Jesus) when we are weak”.
The God of all comfort comforts us so that we can comfort others who happen to be in similar afflictions, “the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3,4). Imagine how appropriate and soothing the words from a mother to her daughter during her period of child-bearing and labour pains; or the comfort one receives on the loss of a loved one from someone who has been there before?
But comfort does not necessarily mean the elimination of all physical pain and sorrow. Rather, it is the recognition and acknowledgement of our total dependence on an Almighty God. Comfort is one of the blessings God gave us through His Word – the Bible. The learning we glean from the Bible is for the everyday experiences of life and comfort is one of the needs the Scriptures provide in abundance. It gives us an excellent opportunity to prove the Bible’s effectiveness in our hour of affliction and adversity – and therefore experience the presence of the God of all comfort. The Bible is our stronghold – our main source of strength, guidance and comfort. Let us as Christians share our faith as a community of believers encouraging everyone in times of trials and sorrow to look up to the God of all comfort for His comfort and hope.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2)
