“If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.” – 2 Corinthians 1:6
Suffering, grief, and pain are all part of living in this fallen world, which is beset by sin and brokenness. However, that doesn’t mean God doesn’t care about our suffering. He Himself offers comfort to His children, those adopted by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Our Savior experienced unimaginable suffering and promises that He is with us in our affliction.
Moreover, God makes each of us part of His plan to comfort others. Every Christian is called to be a comforter. As we have suffered and been comforted, we are blessed and equipped by our experience to comfort others amidst their suffering, grief, and pain. Our painful experiences prepare us to soothe the pain of others.
It’s no small task to enter into the pain of others, but as followers of Jesus, that’s exactly what we’re called to do, weeping with those who weep. We minister by our prayers, our presence, our tears, and our wise counsel. Our experience of God’s comfort opens doors for others to understand, seek, and experience His comfort. We’ve been called. Will you answer?