4 Minute Read

Prepare Your Heart

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Read God’s Word

Proverbs 1-2
2 Corinthians 1:1-14

A Verse for Today

Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (CSB): “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

Reflecting on God’s Word

Bad things happen. We don’t have to look for them. Given enough time, they will come our way. If nothing else, it is simply the result of living in a broken, Genesis 3 world.

When trials come, we could spend all our time asking “why?”, but that does us no good. It may be that we will never know the reason we went through difficult times until we get to Heaven. Maybe, once we arrive in the presence of our Lord, we will no longer care to know the answer.

So, don’t get stuck asking God the “why” question. Instead, realize that, if for no other reason, we go through bad things so that we can help and encourage others who go through similar trials.

The darkest time in my life was taking place about 35 years ago. In August 1989, I moved 1,000 miles away from home (Galena Park, TX to Lexington, KY) to go to college. I was working myself to death, not getting enough sleep, eating poorly, stressing over money, etc. I began to slip into a deep, dark depression where I “despaired of life itself” (2 Corinthians 1:8). I was ready to enter my Heavenly home even if it took manually moving the date forward.

As I look back at that time by reading journal entries, I feel like I’m now able to look at that 19-22 year old college student as if he were a different guy. I’m able to look back and see things I didn’t see then. I can look back and see God’s compassionate hand on me in tangible ways even though He seemed a million miles away at the time. I can now see that He never left me. He was seeking to comfort me by providing me with a wonderful job, a great church (where I met my wife), a friend who sold me a car for a steal when my own car broke down for the umpteenth time, a dear friend/mentor in Wallace York, and so much more.

Because I went through that deep depression, my heart goes out to others who are walking that same journey. My heart remembers the deep despair. I can feel the depths of that dark, lonely pit when I ache for someone who is battling depression.

But that’s where 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 come into play. I realize that if for no other reason, I went through that dark season and experienced God’s help and comfort, so that I can help others who are going through the same thing.

I suspect you’ve been through some difficult times, too. It seems that no one, given a long enough life, reaches the day of their death without going through difficulties. Don’t waste your time getting stuck with repeatedly asking God “Why?” Instead, realize that as you go through the trial and experience God’s help and comfort in the valley, He is equipping you to help and encourage others who will go through that valley, too.

Here’s a very important principle as we seek to comfort others who are going through a time of difficulty. DO NOT tell them things like, “I know how you feel.” If God sent 10 people through the same trial, every single one of them would experience that trial differently. So, don’t tell others you know how they feel. Almost certainly, you don’t. Instead, say, “I’ve gone through something similar and if you are willing, I want to help.” Then, listen. Hurt with them. Provide instruction and insights only to the extent that they desire it. And seek to encourage them while not marginalizing their trial.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (CSB): “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

Spend Time in Prayer

  • Ask God to help you see the ways He comforted you during some difficult times in your life.
  • Ask God to enable you to help and encourage others who are doing through the same thing.

Going Deeper

If you want to dig a little deeper into how God comforts us, consider reading the following GotQuestions article:

“What does it mean that God is the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3)?”

Sharing

If this post has been helpful to you or if you think it could help others, please consider tapping one of the social media buttons below to share it on your favorite platform.

____________________

Matt Ellis is the pastor of White Hall Baptist Church in Richmond, Kentucky (whitehallbaptistchurch.org)