Comfort Others

“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 so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

I rang the doorbell and stood there with a tub of ice cream in my hands when she opened the door.  You could tell she had been crying, but the offering of Rocky Road made her smile.  She invited me in where her husband was sitting in the lounge chair.  He too bore the signs of obviously burden and pain.

I was their pastor and had just gotten word about their miscarriage.  I knew there was nothing I could say that would magically take that pain.  The ice cream was an attempt to ease the pain, but my presence was to enter into the pain with them.

I sat down and explained to them how my wife and I had gone through a miscarriage about a year earlier.  That was why I knew my words could not take the pain away.  I also knew, some ice cream might be appreciated.  When I said, “I know how you feel”, I really did. I had been there and understood the pain personally and not theoretically.

There is something about our pain that prepares us to walk with other people through their pain.  It is an incredible ministry of grace, compassion, and hope to share in someone’s suffering.  Paul encourages us to comfort others in their affliction like we have been comforted in our affliction.

The Greek word for comfort Paul uses for comfort is “parakleseos”.  It is a variation on the term “to call along side”.  It is also the word Jesus uses in John’s gospel for the Holy Spirit.  In fact, the Holy Spirit is referred to as “The Comforter”.  To come along side another and walk with them in their pain, and through their pain, is an incredible comfort.  

The Greek word for affliction is ‘thlipsei” and it is most commonly translated as persecution.  However, it can mean anguish, distress, tribulation, or trouble.  The word is based on a root word that means to crowd, to narrow, to press in.  It is the pressing in of the walls around our life.  It is where all one can see is the source of the problem and no solutions.  The way out, any hope on the horizon, or any path to peace is not presence.  The problem and pain blinds them to everything else.  It problem presses in.  I am sure you know this type of affliction, and you know others who suffer with this type of affliction.

As Paul calls us to come along side others in their affliction, he also reminds us of where we have been.  We are to remember how God has comforted us in our affliction.  Can you remember how God drew near to you in your pain.  Recall what His presence has meant to you in your pain.  When we walk with others in their pain and through their pain, we are trying to mirror the type of comfort we have recieved.  We are to draw closer to people in their affliction so they know they are not alone.

Your pain is never wasted.  It will draw you closer to God if you allow it.  It will also allow you to comfort others with the comfort you have received, if you will use it.