[Scriptures located throughout study.]
Isaiah 40:1 says, “Comfort, O comfort My people.” We
try. We tell them “You can handle this. God does not give us more than we can
bear.” However, our valiant attempts at
comforting fail miserably. The pain is too great. The loss is too deep. The
need is too huge. The road is too long. The
suffering is too intense. It is all too much!
When a young 22-year-old newlywed was diagnosed with
cervical cancer. She too was told, “You can handle this. God doesn’t allow more
than you can handle.” Instead of comforting her, it added to her burden. Not only was she dealing with the pain of the
disease and devastating diagnosis, but also the loss of her dream to bear
children. Now piled on top was this crushing guilt of failing God and falling
far short of His expectations of her. It was all too much!
The problem is we have our promises all mixed up. The
promise is that “no TEMPTATION has
overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not
allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation
provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” (1
Corinthians 10:13) Temptation is a
drawing into making sinful choices. If God knows we cannot resist, He will not
allow us to be tempted in that way or at that time. That temptation will never be so unique nor
unexpected that we cannot already have safeguards in place. Suffering in itself
is not a temptation. Naturally it is racked with reeling emotions, including
fear and doubt, and often anger, even at God.
Within those are temptations and hard choices. However, suffering is simply the reality of
living in a world full of trouble where fiery-ordeals unfortunately are common.
(John 16:33; 1 Peter 4:12)
Truth is: Suffering can exceed our ability to handle
it and quickly be more than we can bear.
Paul writes from his own personal experiences in 2 Corinthians 1:8, “For we do not want you to be unaware,
brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened
excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life.” It was all too much!
We were not created to do life, let alone times of
suffering alone. We were created to be dependent on God. Suffering hits head-on
the lie of independence. It is an in our face reminder that we are not to trust
in ourselves nor our resources (physical, mental, emotional or financial), but
on God! (2 Corinthians 1:9) Real comfort
comes from knowing He understands suffering, sorrow and grief. (Isaiah 53:3,4) Isaiah 63:9 says, “In all their afflictions He
was afflicted.” Our sufferings are very personal to Him. He walks with us
through the valleys filled with the shadow of death. (Psalm 23:4) He constantly
carries us. (Isaiah 40:11; Isaiah 46:3,4) Real comfort also comes from knowing
He is able to supply our every need. (2 Corinthians 9:8; Philippians 4:19) His
grace is sufficient especially at our point of greatest weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9; Philippians 4:13) and that any and all adequacy comes from Him. (2 Corinthians 3:5-6)
Suffering also reminds us that we need others. Just as
we were created to be dependent on God, we were also created to be
interdependent on others. We are to bear
one another’s burdens (Romans 15:1; Galatians 6:2) and invest deeply into each
others lives. Never underestimate the
power of prayer. (2 Corinthians 1:11; James 5:16)
According to 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, real comfort comes
from God, “the Father of mercies and God
of all comfort.” It comes through us
as He enables us “to comfort those who
are in any affliction with comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by
God.” As we climb into His arm and let Him carry
us through our own personal sufferings, He redeems it. Sure there are still scars, and sometimes the
limp is permanent, but they are proof that we understand their suffering. We
may not have gone through that same fiery ordeal, but we know what it means to
come to the end of ourselves. He takes
our scars, our limps, our experiences, our suffering, and gives them purpose. Others
see and hear in us faith, hope and love.
These are the true comforters.
Making It
Personal
What encounter have you had with failed attempts to
comfort or be comforted?
Did unrealistic expectations of being able to endure or
handle it play a part in the lousy comfort?
What is the lie of independence?
How is walking and working through suffering WITH God
in dependence the true source of comfort?
How can a person who “limps” be more effective a
comforter than one who has all the answers and gives the impression of never
having really suffered?
Do you really believe in the power of prayer as the
most important way to help others going through suffering?
Reread 2 Corinthians 1:3-11. What truth regarding comforting others really hits home?
