“We share in the terrible sufferings of Christ, but also in the wonderful comfort He gives.” – 2 Corinthians 1:5
We each experience suffering in unique ways, but we have a God who provides comfort in each trial and hardship we face. There is nothing too big or too small for the Lord to bring healing and hope in the midst of suffering.
Here are three encouragements to lean on during times of suffering:
1. Your Heavenly Father is working things together for your good. Paul assures us of this in Romans 8:28, “We know that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to His purpose.” Even when we don’t feel God’s goodness, it’s still there. He is always working things out for good, even when we don’t see it or when it doesn’t look the way that we thought it would.
2. The Holy Spirit provides more comfort than any substance or person can. There’s no substitute for the comfort the Holy Spirit brings into the hard seasons. Filling ourselves up with food, drugs, alcohol, harmful relationships, or other earthly ‘comforts’ is only going to bring temporary fulfillment. The Holy Spirit provides peace that is long-lasting on a soul level. He is our companion at all times when we’ve accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
3. Suffering is temporary. Jesus says in John 16:33 that “in [Him] you can have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! [He] has overcome the world.” What an encouragement to know that Jesus has already won the victory over suffering! Our suffering is temporary because even if the end of our pain is not on this side of heaven, we can be sure that suffering will not follow us into eternity with Christ.