Comfort - So What?

I have just loved our study on 2 Corinthians that Pastor Ray has been doing the over past number of weeks. This has been a book near and dear to my heart during the past year and one in which I’ve spent a lot of time in study and devotion. When I was first offered the Inreach position at Ambassador, one of the things I did as a part of seeking the Lord on His direction was to read through 2 Corinthians. I wish I could say that there was some super spiritual impetus behind this move, but in reality, it was the only book of the Bible in which I knew of the word ‘ambassador’ and so I thought I would give it a good read (see 2Cor 5.20). Now, as it did then, the Lord is using this book in a profound way in my own life. As such, I thought I might share some of these reflections with all of you.

2Cor 1.1-7

In the opening part of 2 Corinthians we learned of the nature of God’s involvement in affliction and suffering, viz., God comforts us in times of trouble not for own sakes exclusively, but rather so that we can in turn provide comfort to others.

One of the most profound questions that the Christian ever has to confront, and for that matter, the most profound question the Church has ever had to confront, is the relationship between a good God and the suffering of humanity. God may be good, but is He powerful enough to do anything about suffering? If He is, then why doesn’t He? Furthermore, if God is indeed powerful enough to do something about suffering and doesn’t, how does that make Him good?

What so amazes me about the Bible is how often  it touches upon the great questions of the faith but not always in a way that we would like it to! Such is the case in 2Cor 1.1-7. The question of the cause of or reason for suffering never comes up in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, instead Paul addresses the issue from an anthropological (related to man) rather than theological vista. This may frustrate those who ponder the deeper questions of life, yet provide a profound perspective missing from most discussions on suffering.

In so doing I feel that Paul is putting his finger directly onto something that so plagues the human condition. We tend to view everything through a ‘me focused’ or ‘man-centric’ lens while the Bible seems to always point in another direction. Our initial impulse when faced with suffering is to look in the mirror, while the Bible so often urges our eyes to go outward and upward, rather than inward.

When encountering affliction, our response is often ‘Why me?’ or ‘How am I going to get out of this mess?’ and our prayers are typically, ‘God relieve me of this discomfort.’

It is striking to witness Paul’s orientation toward suffering. Comfort is given by God not for our own sake and relief, but rather so that we can comfort others. What a radical concept. Many times, when discerning Biblical Truth, we arrive at a Truth, but then stop before the so what kicks in.

Some examples:

‘All Scripture is God-breathed,’ says 2 Tim 3.16, ‘so that the man of God may be adequately equipped for every good work.’

>  Scripture is indeed inspired, but for the purpose of inciting us toward good works.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. So that  you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12.2

>  Our non-conformity to the world is not so we can become separate little huddles of holiness. Our coming out from the world is for the purpose of knowing the mind of God.

So the point is this, when I am faced with affliction, I do indeed look to the ‘God of all comfort’ (2Cor 1.3) for help, and I am right in doing so because it is a wonderful thing that our God is loving and ready to comfort.

However, I too often stop there, I don’t get to the so what. God’s comfort is not given for my well-being, happiness, or security. It is so that I can and know how to comfort others. It should naturally follow that when I see someone in need, I comfort because I have been comforted.

I now need to think about my response to affliction in an entirely different way -- to stop worrying about the how and why of suffering but rather the so what.