As Christians we receive comfort through suffering. If we never suffered, then how could God comfort us. And if God didn't comfort us, then how would we be able to reach out and offer that comfort to others?
2 Corinthians 1: 3-7
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.
7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
When a Christian suffers it's so they can reach out to others who are going through the same type of suffering.
When a Christian recieves comfort it is so they can also reach out to those who are suffering and serve as a comfort to them.
So what type of christian would be allowed to suffer? One who's faith is weak, or one who's faith is strong?
Surely it would have to be one who's faith is strong. If they didn't have a strong faith in Christ, then how would they be able to reach out to others, and offer the same comfort they have recieved through Christ?
2 Corinthians 4: 16- 18
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Here I will use my own father as an example again. Take a look at the scripture above, and consider each word of it carefully.
What is seen, and what is unseen....
What does one see when they look at my father?
This is what most people will see...
A man who is disabled, his body broken and wasting away. Someone who hasn't been healed, and is facing death.
What don't others see when they look at my father?
This is what most people will not see...
A life that has touched many others, that has served as testimony to many others about his faith in Jesus.
The other lives that crossed our paths, who suffered in much the same way. Who through my fathers disability allowed not only him, but also the rest of our family to reach out and serve as a comfort to them, and share the word of God with them. To show them how through God we can find the strength to face each new day, and overcome all the struggles that we may face.
A soul that will soon be spending eternity in heaven with Jesus, and granted an everlasting peace with no more pain or sorrow.
The things that are unseen are much better than the things that are seen, and all serve a much greater purpose.
2 Corinthians 1: 3-7
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.
7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
When a Christian suffers it's so they can reach out to others who are going through the same type of suffering.
When a Christian recieves comfort it is so they can also reach out to those who are suffering and serve as a comfort to them.
So what type of christian would be allowed to suffer? One who's faith is weak, or one who's faith is strong?
Surely it would have to be one who's faith is strong. If they didn't have a strong faith in Christ, then how would they be able to reach out to others, and offer the same comfort they have recieved through Christ?
2 Corinthians 4: 16- 18
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Here I will use my own father as an example again. Take a look at the scripture above, and consider each word of it carefully.
What is seen, and what is unseen....
What does one see when they look at my father?
This is what most people will see...
A man who is disabled, his body broken and wasting away. Someone who hasn't been healed, and is facing death.
What don't others see when they look at my father?
This is what most people will not see...
A life that has touched many others, that has served as testimony to many others about his faith in Jesus.
The other lives that crossed our paths, who suffered in much the same way. Who through my fathers disability allowed not only him, but also the rest of our family to reach out and serve as a comfort to them, and share the word of God with them. To show them how through God we can find the strength to face each new day, and overcome all the struggles that we may face.
A soul that will soon be spending eternity in heaven with Jesus, and granted an everlasting peace with no more pain or sorrow.
The things that are unseen are much better than the things that are seen, and all serve a much greater purpose.