The God of All Comfort

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

One of the things I’ve learned as a pastor is if you talk to a person long enough and dig deep enough, you discover they have experienced heartache. Life is difficult and sometimes it seems like heartache is around every corner. Over time, you could lose jobs, friends, or money. You could experience a health crisis of your own or the illness of a loved one. It is inevitable that the hardships of life will find you. The difference is that as a follower of Christ, you also have the comfort of God always available to you. 

Perhaps you sit with a broken heart or broken hopes right now. God wants you to know that He never wastes anything. When tragedy strikes, when that heartache comes, and when life gives you its worst, God’s divine counsel is in His word to offer care and comfort. 

In 2 Corinthians 1:3, the Apostle Paul calls God something unique: “the God of all comfort.” The word used for “Comfort” is the same word that is used to describe the Holy Spirit and it means “called alongside to help.” This Comforter is strong enough to penetrate the inner chambers of your heart and give you the strength to make it through. 

Paul is saying that no matter what you go through, you never go through it alone. God is always right beside you to help, strengthen and comfort you. He is the source of all true comfort. The comfort of God is not like temporary relief found in addictions, distraction or entertainment. The comfort of God stands because God Himself stays right with you.

Paul goes on to tell you that God “comforts us in all our affliction” (2 Corinthians 1:4). This verse does not say that God “comforts us and keeps us from affliction.” I wish it did. He doesn’t keep affliction away, but He doesn’t stay away either. Your Good Shepherd comes close and stands with you in the trouble, never abandoning you. 

Allow the Holy Spirit to come alongside and comfort you. You will never know just how much God cares about you and how much He loves you until you go through trials and find He is standing right beside you to comfort and strengthen you. 

Prayer: Father, you can make all things new. I know You won’t waste the pain of my life. Show me how You want to redeem it. And show me how to walk closely with You in pain and in joy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.