Something to take home:
In the final verse of this passage of Scripture, Paul writes,
2 Corinthians 1:7 (NLT), We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.
N. T. Wright reminds us of one final thing that Paul’s experience taught him as he suffered through many different afflictions. He writes:
“We should not miss the sense, throughout this letter, that Paul’s deep experience of pain and sorrow has led him to a new vision of God. And that vision, shaped by the Messiah, is a vision of light and love. Light enough to see how to move forward from tragedy to glory; love enough to know that one is held in the divine embrace which will not only comfort in the present but remain faithful and victorious into the future.[1]
Has your deep experience of pain and sorrow led you to a new vision of GOD? Have you seen GOD’s hand through the love of His Son, Jesus, welcoming you into his comfort and peace? Have you learned how to move forward from tragedy to glory? And have you, in your sorrow who has been comforted by GOD learned to be a comfort to others along the way?
Remember, comfort is just one step away, and that step is in the direction of Jesus.
Key Point: “GOD’s comfort to us in our suffering helps us to be a comfort to others.”
[1] Tom Wright, Paul for Everyone: 2 Corinthians (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2004), 5.