TGIF

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

Luke 22:32
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

There is a common theme with both of these verses.  Those(we) who have been comforted have been enabled to comfort others going through troubles.  Too often, we keep our struggles and victories to ourselves rather than seeking to comfort someone else facing something similar to what we faced.  Perhaps we do this because we do not want them to know that we too have struggled and struggle.  Perhaps we do this because we are afraid they may say, "How could you know what I am going through?!" Perhaps this is all because WE do not realize that other people struggle, even our heroes, and perhaps WE have responded to someone before that they could not possibly know what WE were facing.  All of these "perhaps" are just excuses.  God's Word teaches us that we are to use the comfort that was given to us in our pain to comfort someone else in pain.  We are to share the tender mercies that have been poured upon us.

One final note for the passages listed.  In both instances, suffering came about because of a relationship with Christ.  It would be good for us to take note of why we are suffering.  Is it because we are simply reaping the consequences of sin(a life apart from Christ) or is it because of our relationship with Jesus Christ?  Why am I doing what I am doing?  For me?  or for Christ?

luke