True Comfort

Life can sometimes deal much heartache and strife. Suffering Job once said, “Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1, NKJ). One living on this earth will often find that “his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest” (Eccl. 2:23). However, when bad things happen to us—when the burdens seem unbearable—there is a source of true comfort that can be ours. In Second Corinthians 1:3-7, a form of the word “comfort” occurs ten times, and it is to this text that we turn to see the source and nature of the comfort we need in difficult times.

Comes from God the Father

Paul opens this comforting section of Scripture with praise, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3). Here, God’s Fatherhood encompasses both the Lord Jesus Christ and “mercies,” two terms that are inseparably linked (1 Pet. 1:3; Jude 21). “Mercies” refer to compassion and pity upon those in need (Phil. 2:1; Col. 3:12). God’s compassion for us is inexhaustible (Ps. 145:9; Mic. 7:19), for He is both the source and giver of this true comfort.

To better appreciate God’s “comfort,” let us look at the meaning of the word. The word translated “comfort” comes from a word that literally means “a calling to one’s side.” This calling to one’s side includes the ideas of encouragement, help in time of need, comfort, consolation, and advocacy (2 Cor. 7:13; Phil. 2:1; 2 Thes. 2:16). The root of this word is used to describe the Holy Spirit as the “Comforter” (KJV), or “Helper” (NKJ), as Jesus prepares the apostles for His departure (Jn. 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). Jesus Himself is also described with this word. The apostle John said, “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 Jn. 2:1). God knows the heartache we feel and the pain we endure when tragedies happen in our lives (Ps. 38:8-9). He wants to comfort us, and this is possible only by “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7).

Must Be Passed On

God’s comforting us in the heart-wrenching blows that life throws our way has an additional purpose: “that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Cor. 1:4). Just as God has comforted us, we must comfort others in their tribulations (cf. 1 Thes. 3:7). The comfort received by Paul would have been both the deliverance he received out of his trials (2 Cor. 1:8-11; Acts 9:23-25; 14:19-20; 16:19-40), as well as the encouragement he received while in his trials (2 Cor. 12:8-10; Acts 18:9-11). This shows that sometimes we are delivered from our trials, while at other times we are comforted in the midst of our trials to the point that we overcome through Christ (Phil. 4:13).

The more we suffer, the better prepared we are to comfort others who are suffering. Paul put it this way: “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation” (2 Cor. 1:5-6). Paul knew abundantly what it was like to suffer for Christ (Eph. 3:13; Phil. 3:10; Col. 1:24). Yet, in the sense of being better prepared to comfort others, Paul’s suffering was for the sake of the Corinthians! Likewise, the comfort he received from God was also for the Corinthians. Their salvation depended on their enduring through trials (Lk. 21:19; Phil. 1:28; 2 Tim. 2:10), and Paul could help them endure through the comfort he received to endure! Because of this, Paul was confident that the Corinthians would be comforted (2 Cor. 1:7).

Those of us who have suffered the loss of loved ones or who have gone through severe heartache and disappointment must not keep the comfort we received from God to ourselves. Let us practice the Golden Rule by comforting others who are going through similar circumstances as we have endured (Mt. 7:12)!

Is Able To Sustain Us

As mentioned earlier, God wants to comfort us, and He has made the provisions whereby that comfort is possible. God loved us enough to send His Son to save us from our sins (Jn. 3:16). Because of what Christ did on Calvary’s cross, no situation is out of reach for the comfort of God, not even death itself (Heb. 2:14-15). To be sustained by the comfort of God eternally, three conditions must be met. First, become a child of God by obeying His plan of salvation, which includes believing in Him, repenting of past sins, confessing faith in Christ, and being baptized into Christ (Jn. 8:24; Lk. 13:3; Mt. 10:33-34; Mk. 16:16). Second, remain faithful by continuing to live according to God’s will, repenting when sin occurs (1 Jn. 1:7-10). Third, cast all our cares upon God, knowing that He truly does care for us (1 Pet. 5:7). God wants to help and He will if we answer His invitation, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Mt. 11:28-29).