2 Corinthians 1:5 (ESV) -- For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

Suffering and strife will come in this life. There is no getting around it. The promise of the gospel is not that we will not hurt or suffer in this life. No, we will. Neither Jesus, nor the rest of Scripture, give us any illusions of being exempt from it. But one thing we do have in the form of a promise is comfort. 

Our passage today captures this promise for us. Paul is writing to the church in Corinth. He tells them, “For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” These words should be music to the Christian’s ears. We may share in sufferings, but we share in comfort too. 

Paul acknowledges that suffering will come. Even faithfulness to the gospel will cause problems in our lives. Paul experienced and knew this firsthand. If you are faithful to Jesus in a faithless culture, it will earn you ridicule, hardship, and persecution. This is what he means by if we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings. But the good news is that if we share in His sufferings, then we will share in His comfort too. 

Jesus gives comfort to all His children who experience suffering in this world. He is Immanuel, God with us. We are never left to ourselves or forsaken. We can take comfort during our suffering. The comfort isn’t an escape hatch or protective bubble. The comfort is a peace and security of soul that comes as we endure suffering. This is supernatural and purely the work of God in us. 

Are you looking to Christ for comfort today? Do not let your soul be downcast. Jesus provides comfort to all who suffer. Look to Him. Call on Him. Ask Him to give you peace of heart and mind as you endure suffering for your faithfulness. 

Reflection & Journal:
- Why would Christians endure hardship for the sake of Christ?
- What examples can you name that occur today like this? Have you experienced this?
- How does Jesus comfort us and share comfort with us?

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