Yesterday's Bible Study |
In the opening to his second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul talks about God's goodness to him and the church throughout their trials. While they faced many difficulties and suffered greatly, they took comfort in Jesus. As their sufferings abounded, so did their comfort. Today, we'll look at what it means to find consolation in Jesus.
Think about a time when you endured great hardship. In the midst of it, did you find consolation in Jesus? For me, there are hardships in which I did and those in which I didn't. Whether or not Christ consoled me depended on whether or not I made the decision to trust Him, even when it seemed like everything around me was falling apart. Paul's words remind us that we each have the opportunity to find consolation in Jesus, regardless of our circumstances. Jesus will console us--but we must seek Him first.
What kind of consolation does Jesus offer us? It is different from the world's consolation, which is fleeting. The world tells us to console our hearts with alcohol, drugs, overeating, overspending, or binge-watching television. But Jesus presents a different path for us. He says that we can be satisfied and comforted in Him alone. We don't have to fall into the sins of this world to be consoled in the midst of our trials. Instead, Jesus offers us peace. He gives us the ability to rejoice in the midst of deep trials, and He helps us to be still, resting in the fact that He is God.
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How do we find that kind of consolation? It begins by calling out to the Lord to help us. The Corinthians and Paul were not consoled after their suffering, but rather, in the midst of it. Christ made it possible for them to endure. He was not merely a light at the end of the tunnel, but the One who made it possible for them to keep pressing on. He did not turn His back from suffering, but instead, went to the cross and gave up His life, that He might enter into our pain and console us in the midst.
If you are experiencing a trial, ask the Lord to console you. Remember that He knows what suffering is like and He is near to the brokenhearted. Ask Him to show His love for you in a new way and to rejuvenate your heart.
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