Many of us have cried out in anguish, “What did I do to deserve this?” We must be careful because this question can lead us in a downward spiral. We start feeling sorry for ourselves and then we look to blame others. We throw a pity party and wallow in a “woe is me” mentality. We blame our circumstances and anyone we can think of and we become the victim. The result of a mindset of victimization is we yield control of our lives to our circumstances.

The Apostle Paul gives us a helpful perspective when we’re facing difficult situations. Second Corinthians is one of Paul’s most personal epistles. We learn that our response to suffering is determined by our view of God:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, (2 Corinthians 1:3)

The word comfort literally denotes one who is called alongside. Jesus demonstrated a ministry of comfort to others and this was the appellation used to describe the Holy Spirit. Paul now uses this description of our heavenly Father as the God of all comfort. When you have a proper view of God you’re able to receive His comfort:

who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:4)

God comforts us in our afflictions so that we are able to bring comfort to others. You may be thinking, “I didn’t deserve to be in this situation – this is unfair.” Paul encourages us to take a step back and gain the larger perspective. God may use your trial to bring comfort to someone else who is going through a similar painful experience. People are able to receive encouragement from others who have been through a similar experience. They may even exclaim, “They know what we’re going through.”

What is a painful situation that you’re going through that you don’t understand? Although you don’t see it now, could it be that God is preparing you to bring comfort to someone else? You have a choice. You can choose to be bitter and angry and end up as a victim; or you can pick up the pieces of this puzzle called life and start putting the pieces together and gain God’s perspective. Long distance runner and author, Haruki Murakami, reminds us, “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.”

You can choose to live each day to the fullest with confidence in God as you seek to bring comfort to others. It’s a shame to waste your suffering. May God use you to be a channel of encouragement to others as you show them that God is able to bring them comfort. God knows what He’s doing – your trial may be a source of encouragement to others.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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