Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Source of Comfort in Pain


UV 2772/10000 Source of Comfort in Pain
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God
2 Corinthians 1 v 4
When the Lord comforts us in all our troubles, we are greatly strengthened. We are able to endure our afflictions and emerge victorious. We are also equipped to offer such comfort to others who are undergoing such suffering. The Holy Spirit communicates comfort to us through teaching and understanding of the purpose of the suffering. The soft voice and touch of the Holy Spirit heals our wounds. He reminds us of the suffering of Jesus on the cross. Compared to the suffering of Jesus on the cross, our suffering pales in significance and intensity. The words “ in all of our tribulations” implies that there is no trouble in which the comfort of the Lord is not available and effective.
One of the greatest needs of people around us is a word of comfort. They might be suffering due to a business failure, a crippling disease, a bereavement, a mishap, a marriage breakdown, a disabled child or ailing parent. The courage , confidence and hope of a person dries up literally during such times except they be comforted by the Lord Himself. We can be instruments in the hands of the Lord at such times to comfort them. Jesus asked His followers to bear one another’s burdens. The ministry of comfort is one of the chief ways of bearing one another’s burdens. When we do so, the Lord is pleased and rushes help and comfort to us in our own troubles. A supernatural strength or grace will then enable us to face the otherwise unbearable situation with courage and confidence.
Feeling the pain of others like one’s own pain is empathy. Such empathy will move us to fervent prayer for the removal of the cause of pain of others. It will also move us to extend the hand of practical support in such times and not just lip sympathy. The knowledge and use of specific portions of scripture relevant to the type of suffering one is facing is most effective to strengthen people during their trials.
Prateep V Philip

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