All Things NewSample

When Paul talks about the sufferings of Christ spilling over into our lives, he could mean a few overlapping ideas: 1. Sufferings on account of Christ. 2. Sufferings ordained for us by Christ. 3. Sufferings associated with Christ. 4. Sufferings like Christ endured.[1] What I believe is important for us to know is that as believers, we will suffer certain things that are distinct to our association with Christ. Many Christians are suffering severe persecution around the world while others are hurting in lesser, but still painful, ways for their faith. Paul realized there is a certain fellowship that takes place with Jesus in times of suffering because no one knows suffering better than He does.

I’ve yet to meet a person who enjoys suffering, but I’ve met many who’ve found intimacy with Jesus in the midst of their suffering. There are certain parts of Jesus you just can’t know on a path of ease, and once you’ve tasted that closeness with Him you wouldn’t trade it for the smooth course. In addition to experiencing a special fellowship with Jesus (Phil. 3:10), Paul reveals another reason why suffering brings blessing. 

Whenever Christ’s sufferings overflow into our lives what overflows out of us is God’s comfort (2 Cor. 1:5). This is awesome! 

One of the most beautiful declarations in all of Scripture is found in verse 4, “He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction” (HCSB). When we traverse through difficulty, it’s often hard to see outside of our pain. But we find great purpose in our suffering when we realize our experiences will serve as unique comforts to others going through similar trials.

Christ’s suffering and His comfort run together in our lives, side-by-side. As Christians, we never have to suffer without Christ’s comfort, and I believe there are certain comforts we will never know apart from His suffering. If you are plodding through a trial, perhaps an unbearable one far beyond your ability to endure, draw from God’s comfort that runs straight through the person of Jesus into your life. He promises it in measure to your pain. When you’re met with God’s consolation, you’ll be eager to bind up the wounds of another person who’s in similar pain because God’s comfort is overflowing in nature. You’ll have more than enough to share. 

  
[1] David E. Garland, The New American Commentary, Volume 29, 2 Corinthians (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999) accessed on August 7, 2017 via mywsb.com.