Read 2 Corinthians 1:3–4

Of all the letters Paul wrote, 2 Corinthians is the most autobiographical. In it the great apostle lifts the veil of his private life and allows us to catch a glimpse of his humanity. He writes transparently about his frailties and needs. You need to read that letter in one sitting to capture the moving emotion that surged through his soul, his anguish and tears, including his feelings of inadequacy. Yet in all of that, Paul learned the purpose in suffering. So that he could comfort others.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. (2 Corinthians 1:3–4)

God allows suffering so that we might have the capacity to enter others’ sorrow and affliction. Isn’t that true? If you have suffered a broken leg and been forced to navigate on crutches for weeks—you are in complete sympathy with someone else on crutches, even years after your affliction. The same is true for the loss of a child...emotional depression...an auto accident...enduring unfair criticism...living with financial burdens. God gives His children the capacity to understand by bringing similar sufferings and hardships into our lives. Those afflictions round off our edges. They force us to face the truth. Here’s a statement on suffering I heard years ago. I shall never forget it:

Pain plants the flag of reality in the fortress of a rebel heart.

Pain and suffering are never easy. I’m not suggesting that. But you are experiencing this trial so that God can use you one day to bring comfort to someone who winds up in the same situation. Meanwhile, embrace the promise of God’s personal ministry of comforting you and your family. You cannot see Him, but He is there. You cannot hear Him, but He understands.

Devotional content taken from Good Morning, Lord...Can We Talk? by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2018. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries. All rights reserved.

The full devotional can be purchased at https://www.tyndale.com/p/good-morning-lord-can-we-talk/9781414380681.