GPS Guide – April 2, 2019

SUFFERING AND SIN

Tuesday

Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

^“3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. ⁵ For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. ⁶ If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. ⁷ And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.” (NIV 2 Corinthians 1:3-7)

Study: Paul is a great example of Christian suffering. There is no doubt that Paul’s suffering is greater than most of our suffering today. What we learn from him, through great suffering, is that God can bring comfort even in the worst of times. When we are given comfort in terrible times, it can be easy to enjoy that comfort and, understandably, act in a self-preserving way. What Paul shows us here is that, when we are given comfort, we should then use that peace from God to help others. We are supposed to be imitators of the love God showed us. Even though we suffer, we are blessed beyond measure. We should share those blessing with those around us who are also suffering. Maybe you can be a comfort to someone else this week.

Pray: Merciful God, thank you for the many blessings you have placed in my life. I pray that you allow me to share those blessings with people who are hurting. Amen.