Worshipping Through Suffering

Suffering is often marked by grumbling and discontentment. Remarkably, Paul deliberately rejoices at the same time as he suffers. Paul knows the God of all comfort and mercy. God has given him strength. His comfort is timed exactly and is very personal. God himself is the source of all of this comfort and the guarantee of it. He also comforts us with a specific purpose. He comforts us in order that we can become comforters. Many Christians are suffering and are thus able to comfort. This is a surprising purpose of God through suffering. This comfort does not extend to Christians who are suffering as a result for their own sin. Rather, such Christians should repent and receive God's forgiveness and comfort. God grants exactly what we need when we need it. Every Christian will suffer within the partnership of other Christians. God encourages us through each others' faith and courage in suffering. God's comfort doesn't simply dull the pain, it gives more power to face the pain.