Affliction and Comfort

2Co 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
2Co 1:4 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.
2Co 1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
2Co 1:6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
Clearly, the Lord allows suffering in our lives for the main purpose of drawing nearer to Him, finding comfort and consolation in Him, so that we, in turn, may comfort and console others.

Neil T. Anderson said it well, "God never wastes pain." How wonderfully true this statement is. God fully intends our suffering and sorrows to turn to blessings for us and others. Last time I checked, Romans 8:28 is still in the Book, "And we know that all things work together for good, to them that love the Lord, to them who are the called according to His purpose."

Friend, are you going through some "stuff" right now? I know, we never bargain for pain, but pain usually turns out to be a real bargain, after God has allowed His plan to be unfolded to us.

So live and learn, be afflicted to be blessed and be a blessing.