2 Corinthians 1:3-7
The world’s definition of comfort is ”the alleviation of suffering or despair.” However, the Lord has a different view. The hardship He allows to enter a believer’s life is a teaching tool. Because we mature spiritually when we exercise faith, our Father doesn’t remove the cause of our troubles but instead gives us the encouragement and strength to work through them.
Whether we are in immediate pain or not, the Holy Spirit is available to us. God sent His Spirit to dwell within everyone who believes—in that way, our source of help is as close as our own beating heart. Nobody else understands our need the way He does. When we feel unable to bear one more second of affliction, He whispers into our soul, “Yes, you can, because I am here.” There is no healing balm like the voice of God’s Spirit.
In some circumstances, the Spirit directs our minds to Scripture. Reading a passage is a way to hear directly from the Lord. This is one of the reasons I encourage turning to the Bible during times of trial. A scripture’s personal meaning and application may not be apparent immediately, but God will bring the verse to mind when it’s most needed.
The day that someone receives Christ, he or she is sealed as God’s child. The Lord can’t break His promises, and He has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). He will not allow us to be hurt any more than He knows we can stand—and since He is omnipresent, He’s always available to help us. His comfort is available and adequate to meet the need, whatever our level of affliction.
