Day 12: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”



Too many of us want to live a quiet comfortable life where nothing ever happens, nothing is lost, there is no pain, no heartache, no problems. Are you one of those people? I hope not. Many times and in many ways, our lives are not so quietly defined by those moments that we consider tragedy. We will never forget these moments, and they will teach us things that no other situation can.


And here’s a nasty little secret: no matter how badly we want to live a life unmarred by tragedy, we won’t. Every one of us will have tragedy in our life. As a leader, we often guide others through it. You may think that only pastors do such things, but let me assure you that in times of pain, people look to any kind of leader to help them get through, not just their pastor.


So, getting to our passage, Paul is telling us a little something about suffering. Paul was no stranger to suffering. In fact, after he met Jesus on the Damascus Road, his life could be looked at as one bit of suffering after another. Paul was jailed, beaten, hunted, cursed, and tortured throughout his career as an evangelist and church planter. Though he suffered much, there is no doubt that Paul considered his life successful. This passage gives us some insight into his thoughts.


Like I said before, we all face suffering. As a Christian, we’re promised persecution, trials, and sufferings. But right here Paul tells us that God is a comforter, and that we will find comfort in Him. We are also told that the comfort God gives us has a use: to comfort others with. That’s where this turns into a leadership lesson. Imagine being around Paul, and relating to him some bit of suffering that you had undergone. Imagine the peace he could offer you. Imagine the wisdom he could offer you. I don’t think you could out-suffer Paul. God gives us comfort from our suffering and then lets us use that comfort to help take care of others.


What does this mean to you? Think about it. Comfort and mercy flows from God to us, and then back out from us to others. It’s actually quite beautiful. As leaders experience is the trump card. It’s our experience that often gives people confidence in our ability to lead them. This is even true in suffering. You can guide someone through suffering much better if you know of what you speak.


The next time you go through something traumatic, think about what God is teaching you through it. I bet when you look back, many years after the event, you’ll be able to see where God used your situation in order to help and lead other people.


CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLE: God uses even our suffering to allow us to help and lead others. Every experience is another step in becoming more like Jesus.


Here’s a set of verses to meditate on today: Romans 8:28


Prayer: Father, thank you for the promise that everything in this life works for our betterment. Thank you that even my suffering helps me relate to others. Help me to work through my suffering with Grace, always relying on you to comfort me, and help me to show that comfort to those around me who need it. In Christ’s name I pray, amen.