“Now if we are afflicted it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we all suffer. Or, if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.”
– 2 Corinthians 1:6
In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, one of the keywords used is comfort and encouragement. The Greek word means “called to one’s side to help.” The great Apostle opened his heart and shared how at one point in his life, he “despaired even of life.” Great a Christian as he was, he was human and experienced fear and hopelessness. Paul did not deny how he felt, and God does not want us to deny our emotions either. But, they should cause us to look to Him, not our skills and abilities.
Paul’s point in this chapter is that sometimes we go through challenging experiences in our Christian walks, not always for something we have done, but as preparation for something we may do for Him in the future. We go through things to understand and help others through tough times. Sometimes God delivers us from trials, but very often, He delivers us in our trials.
If you are going through difficulties today, remember that God knows how much you can handle, and He is in control. “When God puts His children into the furnace, He keeps His hand on the thermostat and His eye on the thermometer.”
“When you find yourself discouraged because of difficult circumstances, it is easy to look at yourself and your feelings, or to focus on the problems around you. But the first step we must take is to look by faith to the Lord and realize all God is to us. ‘I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth’ (Ps. 121:1-2)”
– Warren Wiersbe
surrendered devotions 