“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
When we go through trials such as physical sickness, emotional pain, or spiritual struggle, it’s easy to feel like the experience is wasted. But Paul reminds us that in Christ, nothing is wasted. God comforts us in all our afflictions. Not just some, not just the “spiritual” ones, but even in the physical and emotional struggles we carry in our bodies and hearts.
The word Paul uses for comfort, paraklēsis, means more than soothing relief. It carries the sense of encouragement, strengthening, coming alongside. God doesn’t just pat us on the back. He strengthens us with His presence and sustains us with His Spirit.
But notice: the comfort we receive isn’t meant to stop with us. Paul says God comforts us “so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction.” The comfort we receive is meant to flow outward. Your story of pain and God’s faithfulness may be the very encouragement someone else desperately needs.
This principle is deeply relevant in our biblical health journey. Sickness and trials can feel isolating, but God uses them to birth compassion in us. Someone who has walked through cancer, chronic illness, depression, or grief carries a depth of empathy that can’t be taught in a classroom. Pain shapes purpose. Affliction awakens passion to serve others who are hurting.
It’s not that God sends sickness. He never designed it for Eden, and it will not exist in Heaven. But in this fallen world, when trials come, He redeems them by weaving them into ministry. What the enemy meant for harm, God uses for healing through us.
Think about it: the comfort you’ve received, the peace in the middle of the storm, the strength when you were weak, the hope when you felt hopeless, that comfort wasn’t meant only for you. It’s a gift to be shared. To suffer well, then, is not just to endure. It’s to receive God’s comfort and pass it on, transforming personal pain into communal healing.
From pain can be birthed purpose. From trials, testimonies. From weakness, a ministry of compassion. Don’t waste your suffering. Let it become the platform where God’s comfort flows through you to others.
Prayer: Father of mercies, thank You for being the God of all comfort. Thank You that You never waste my suffering, but You use it to shape me and prepare me to comfort others. Help me not to hold back the testimony of Your faithfulness. Let my pain birth purpose and passion, so that others may find hope in You. Amen.
