abundant suffering… abundant comfort

For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

2 Corinthians 1:5

Paul wrote these words with insight into suffering that no people would have today. He had a unique perspective. The primary suffering of the First Century Church was deadly intense persecution. And this persecution was meant to silence churches, imprison believers, and many Christians died for their faith. It was the dawn of the age of martyrs. Paul had been one who had led the early attacks against Christianity as a fierce opponent. Until Jesus arrested his heart as he headed to Damascus to arrest and seize church leaders. So Paul uniquely knew what it was like to cause suffering for Christ’s people. He knew the sinful motives of the Christ-hater who wanted suffering to be the ultimate weapon.

Paul also suffered as a believer… intensely. He very quickly became the persecuted. He was chased out of towns. He was thrown in jail. He was stoned and left for dead. He was beaten and unjustly accused. He was shipwrecked and deserted. He experienced the sufferings of Christ, so he could pen these words to others who had suffered as a fellow sufferer for Jesus.

I do not suffer with the pain of persecution, but I do know intense suffering… a sorrow Jesus also carried (Isaiah 53:3-4). Jesus was the Man of Sorrows upon the cross. He has borne my grief and carried my sorrow… especially the sorrow that has been in my life every moment since January 4th of this year. And though suffering has been abundant, so has the incredible, amazing comfort of Christ! He is my inexplicable peace! He is my abundant comfort. And He will surround my soul today.