Comfort in Your Pain
2 CORINTHIANS 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.
I wish I could tell you in good conscience that if you come to Jesus, it won’t rain on your parade or that you will no longer experience difficulties, trials, delays, or disappointments. If I could tell you that, I imagine you might shout, clap your hands, and wear a big smile. I would too. But I can’t tell you that, simply because it’s not true. Yet what I can tell you ought to paint a smile on your face, because when you fully grasp this, it will change the way you view life’s pain. Here it is: God never allows anything in your life that He does not simultaneously promise to use for good if you are one of His children and living according to His purpose. If you will make Jesus your focus, He will make His love your comfort and your strength. Place your eyes on Him because He is for you. Paul reminds us of the comfort we have as children of God: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Jesus also assures us that He has asked His Father to send us the comfort we need: “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever” (John 14:16). So I can’t say to you that if you come to Jesus or focus on Him, it will never rain. What I can say to you is that if you will keep your eyes on Him and His promises in His Word, then when the storms come, He will be your covering. He will be your umbrella. He will be the shelter that guards your emotions, your dreams, and the deepest part of who you are. He will protect and nurture that tender part of you that we often refer to as the core or spirit. It is the truest and most authentic version of yourself. Jesus will not only cover you but also use the trials and troubles of this life to guide you into the fullest realization of your destiny.
Lord, pain is real. I can feel it, and I don’t always like it. In times of pain, I sometimes forget about pursuing my destiny because I’m so focused on myself and trying to find relief. Please help me to remember that You have a purpose in the pain and that You can use it for good if I will cooperate with You in it.
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