Pain Redeemed


"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." II Corinthians 1:3-4

As we finished loading up the two older gentlemen, we made our way to the restaurant for lunch. Both men had been married for over 65 years. A year or so earlier, one of the men held his sweetheart's hand as she went home to heaven. Recently, the other gentlemen had to bid his farewell to the beautiful joy of his life as well. They spoke knowingly to each other recognizing their own emotions in the eyes of the other. It was a holy moment.

Troubles come in all shapes and sizes. Jesus said that's the way it would it be. He also told us that he'd be there with us in the middle of each and every one. As Paul writes this letter, he reveals that God's comfort will accompany his presence and the presence of other people who have been comforted by God in similar troubles. Amazing. Just like his love, his comfort is to pass through our hands and hearts into the hands and hearts of others.

Our troubles have been someone else's troubles. Someone else's troubles have been our troubles. Here Paul connects the dots. Find each other. Share about God's goodness in the midst of the struggle. Listen to others. Allow others to listen to you. Too much comfort goes unrealized, because we allow ourselves and others to isolate in the midst of the pain. Keep your eyes and ears opened. Reciprocal comfort is a powerful way to redeem pain.    

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