Getting Comfortable

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. (2 Cor 1:3-4)

The topic of the first chapter of 2 Corinthians is affliction ... and comfort. Paul starts out his letter blessing God because He is 1) the Father of Christ, 2) the Father of mercies, and 3) the God of all comfort. Why is "comfort" so important here? Why does Paul pick that attribute at this moment? Because everyone encounters "affliction" and everyone needs comforting.

Paul explains the afflictions he and his fellows encountered in their mission. They were "utterly burdened beyond our strength" and "dispaired of life itself" (2 Cor 1:8). These afflictions were so severe that they were sure they were going to die. But, he says, "If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort" (2 Cor 1:6). Why? Because in all our affliction the God of comfort comforts us so that we may comfort others (2 Cor 1:3-4).

That makes sense, doesn't it? If you are encountering problems, do you ask someone who has never had problems or someone who had endured the same ones? If you have a sports injury, you're much more likely to ask for a recommendation for a doctor from someone who's had the same than a random stranger. So one reason God allows suffering -- "affliction" -- is so that we are equipped to help others. But don't miss this important point. This is far beyond asking a fellow cancer sufferer about where to get cancer help. The comfort we're talking about is not merely mutual suffering. This comfort is from God. This comfort is from the "God of all comfort" (2 Cor 1:3). This is the supreme comfort. God gives it to us and we can share it with others.

Paul's suffering to near-death proportions was for the comfort of others (2 Cor 1:6). And Paul's first point in comforting others is "On Him we have set our hope that He will deliver us again" (2 Cor 1:10). His trials were so intense for the purpose of making him "rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead" (2 Cor 1:9). So our first work of comforting others is joining God's work of comfort by praying (2 Cor 1:11). In the end, there can be no better comfort than to know we are in the hands of Him who can raise the dead, the Father of mercies, the God of all comfort. As Jeremiah said, "The LORD is my portion, therefore I will hope in Him" (Lam 3:24).