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)
Every year the calendar starts over at January 1st. But just because the calendar changes doesn’t mean our circumstances do. Maybe you’re facing the affliction of a health scare or a financial hardship. Maybe you’re in a rocky relationship or have problems at work.
Whatever affliction you’re facing right now, do not think that it or its lessons are worthless. The comfort God provides in earthly difficulty becomes more real to those God intends us to reach because we have really known it.
My wife tells of being unable to hear the thoughts of famous speaker, until that woman sat in a chair and unknowingly revealed a shoe with a hole in the sole. Suddenly all the women listening knew that the woman speaking of God’s comfort through deprivation really knew what she was speaking about.
None of us should want affliction – or waste it. When we know more of God’s eternal comforts through our earthly afflictions, we are best able to share the truths of eternity with those needing God.
Prayer:
Father, you know the difficulties I’m experiencing and will provide as you know best for my eternity. May confidence in this grace give me comfort in affliction that you have prepared me to share with others in need!