Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Although we live in a broken world full of pain and sorrow, trials and tribulations, we are thankful that we are not alone and abandoned in it. We live in this world where with the blessing of the comfort of God. In the midst of the difficulties of life, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort sends us the comfort we need to sustain us through everything that comes our way. Indeed, He sends us the comfort we need to overcome all these things.

What are these comforts that the Apostle Paul has in mind? He does not specifically identify them. This is probably because the Lord designs each comfort to fit each believer and each situation. In one instance, for example, the Apostle Paul was in Macedonia and he was downcast because of the afflictions he suffered there. He was comforted, however, by the coming of Titus and by the good news Titus brought with him about the Corinthian church’s longing, mourning, and zeal for him (2 Corinthians 7:6-7). The comfort of Christian friends is very common, but relief of pain, the easing of grief, deliverance from persecution or an encouraging word amidst persecution… all these are methods of comfort provided by God.

People who have received the comfort of God in the midst of affliction are better able to be used by God as a source of comfort to others who are going through the same kind of affliction. The best comforter is the one who has already been comforted by God in the relevant area of life. Such people have the wisdom of experience and know the comfort of God which can help overcome Satan’s attempts to bring us down.

James has told us that our sufferings are useful (James 1:2-5), and now Paul explains that our comforts are also useful. Nothing in God’s economy is wasted. He truly is working all things for our good and for His glory.

Like everyone else in this troubled world of ours, you may have been going through various and sundry afflictions. The God of comfort, however, is preparing to send you the very thing you need to help you persevere and overcome. Pray for it, watch for it, enjoy it, and then pass it on.

By John Huisman, friend of Bible League International