Ep 03. Comfort and Affliction

Intro is a story of deployed site visits with Doc and Chaplain. The traveling was mentally and emotionally taxing but conversations with Doc and scripture helped with adjusting.

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1:3-11‬ ‭ESV‬‬
http://bible.com/59/2co.1.3-11.esv

“3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 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.

For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.

Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia.

For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.

Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.

He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us.

On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”

4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction
• Times when we experience hardship.
• Enables us to grow.
6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.
• Sometimes the hardship is not for us.
• It’s so we can aid other’s going through similar times.
• It’s not always about us.
• What better way to relay a message…by experience.
• Have you ever heard someone tell a story and you could feel the emotions through their word? This is why…
○ They were authentic which most likely made a lasting impression.
○ And you knew they cared about what they were talking about.

9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.
• They felt like they were going to die
• Able to make it through by not relying on they’re own reasoning, understanding the bigger plan, and have faith.

10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

So…What happened to my trip after I read that…Did my site visit get better? Nope…not at all. It sucked.

But I had comfort knowing there was a bigger plan and I turned the trip into a learning experience.

I was able to help my replacement adjust and plan for site visits.

And I was able to develop the idea of The Zealous Disposition.

Whatever hardship your experiencing…

Understand that it will suck but it’s not the end. You’ll make it through stronger than before ready for the next challenge.

And waiting to aid those around you too.

Comfort and affliction…the sweet and sour of life.