Face The Trials
3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NKJV
There is not one of us that have not had to face trials in this life and there is not one of us that does not seek and desire comfort and deliverance from the struggles this life brings. In these early, verses of 2 Corinthians, Paul explains a great truth that he has learned from life, a truth that will help us be able to find comfort and peace from those trials of life.
Paul says that he had learned of the comfort and the deliverance of Jesus Christ. That is what we seek, comfort and deliverance in this life. Isn’t that what we are asking for? Well, Paul learned to experience that comfort and walk in the deliverance that can only come through Jesus by actually facing trials in this life.
Most of us can’t fully relate to this and as a result, we have not learned, as Paul did, of the comfort and deliverance that comes from Jesus. Why do we not share this experience in common with Paul? It is because we have developed the ability to face trials and the struggles of this life ourselves. Most of us turn away from the trial. We run from it if we can, we escape it by any means possible to us, but that is not facing the trials and that is how Paul learned of the comfort and deliverance. If comfort in trials is not something you have experienced, then you still have some learning to do according to Paul. If you have never realized the deliverance of Jesus from the trial or overwhelming circumstances that confront you, then you have yet to learn to face them and you have been running instead.
The good news is that you never face the tribulations alone. You are facing them with Jesus, who has overcome all things in this life. Paul did not run from the tribulations, he faced them with Jesus and was then comforted and delivered. Because Paul had this experience he could then comfort others and share with them the good news that God comforts us and sees us through as we walk with Him. The enemy of your soul wants you to run from the trials he sends your way because he knows you never advance, you never overcome when you run. In fact, you can go backward. Backward is the direction of bondage and fear. Forward in Jesus is the direction of comfort and deliverance. Face the trials as Paul did, with Jesus.
J Todd Hostetler