The Comfort of Suffering

You've heard the saying, "Stop the train. I want to get off." It's an expression of exasperation. We've all felt it. But, we are never without a great hope.

In my devotions this morning I did a double-take. "What? Did that say I what I think it said?" I've seen it there a multitude of times. "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

" . . . provided we suffer with him . . . ." This is the ESV Translation. There's a little footnote to it. II Cor 1.7, "Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort."

Friends, Christianity does not exist without suffering for and with Jesus, and His Church. Yes, it's a paradox. Christian comfort comes with suffering. The Apostle is saying as you live for Christ, together as a Church, doing the Lord's will, which means stepping out in faith, you will experience suffering and so, "comfort one another with these words."