HOW?
God comforts us in our troubles so that we can comfort others. But how does God comfort us?
Well, I suppose if you are in need of a job, He could get you a job. Wouldn’t that comfort you from the worry of not having enough money to live on? Do you believe God is able to get you that job? It may not be in your timing, but He will cause you to succeed IF you look to Him for help, IF you trust Him.
Paul in verse 9 (below) gives us a clue. He says that he was burdened even to the point of fearing for his life and the reason…so that he would TRUST in God who has raised the dead.
For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; 9 indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; 10 who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, 11 you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many. 2 Corinthians 1:8 - 11 (NASB)
Notice that Paul speaks of God’s faithfulness here as eternal (verse 10):
God delivered him in the past
God will deliver him now
God will yet deliver him in the future
God IS able, always has been and always will be!
So what part do we play besides trusting? We need to immerse ourselves in His Word. Are you looking for answers? Look in the Bible. God has put so much in there about every topic under the sun. His word may not have your exact situation in it but it will address the PRINICPLES of the problem and solution in which you are involved.
The second way is to TALK TO HIM. We also call that prayer. Are you feeling depressed, like nothing is going right, and you don’t know what to do? Talk to God.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6 - 7 (NASB)
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
SEEK FIRST THE
