Finding Comfort in our Trials

He was fearing for his life yet in the section from verse 3-11 he mentions comfort ten times! How could a man so afflicted with trials be so confident in God and in the work he had set out to do, even when his life was in danger?

I believe in 2 Corinthians 1:3-11, Paul reveals three ways in which we can find spiritual comfort in our trials:

Looking to others

“That we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (v4)

It is inevitable that all Christians will go through trials. James 1:2 tells us to “Consider it wholly joyful whenever you encounter trials of any sort.” However, God has given us fellowship with other believers to help us get through these trials. James goes on to say, “be assured that the trial and proving of your faith brings out endurance and steadfastness.” Mature believers have gone through the experience of trials, they have built up “endurance” and “steadfastness.” What Paul is saying in verse four of 2 Corinthians 1 is that we are not alone. Believers comfort other believers by reflecting on their own trials, there should always be that one person we can trust to give a word in season when we need spiritual comfort.

Looking to Christ

“For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounded by Christ” (v5)

The whole book of Hebrews is dedicated to this subject. The writer shows the Jewish readers the supremacy of Christ with the purpose of comforting them and strengthening their faith. In Hebrews 4:14-15, the Hebrew reader might be tempted to think that because Jesus has "passed through the heavens" that in some way the Lord is detached from us. Because he is in such a high position it is unlikely he cares or understands what we are going through daily. However, the writer removes all doubt in verse 15. He bolsters their confidence and reassures their minds that "Jesus the Son of God" is not just a divine and sinless being, but a man who has experienced human temptation and suffering.

We can take comfort in our “compassionate” Great High Priest knowing that he is suffering with us because He “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet sin apart.”

Looking to Prayer

“Ye also helping together by prayer for us” (v11)

Paul knew the Corinthians were praying for him. Even though they were not present in the body, they were present in the spirit. And Paul drew such comfort from this.

Similarly, in Acts 12, Herod has James, the brother of John, killed by the sword, and seeing that this pleased the Jewish leaders, he arrests Peter as well. Peter is imprisoned with the expectation of being put to death. But I love the words of verse five, “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”

Prayer (especially communal prayer) is a spiritual weapon during trials. The most comforting times in my life have been when people told me they were praying for me. Genuine prayer for someone doesn’t mean a brief mention of their name without thought. We are bringing them to the very throne of grace! Are we bearing the burden with them? Galatians 6:2 says, “bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ.” And James 5:13, “is any among you afflicted? Let him pray.”

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