With Affliction Comes Comfort

    One of my favorite passages I love to say out loud for comfort is John 16:33. Jesus says, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” I came across this passage one day flipping through my bible and all I could do was throw my hands up and say, “Thank You Jesus!“ I was having a pretty rough day, so seeing that scripture brought peace to me as it reminded me who Jesus is and what He has already done!

    In church, I learned that although we may go through tribulations and affliction, Jesus offers comfort to us while we go through it. The word affliction means trouble or distress and its safe to say that we all have experienced affliction and if not, there will be some point in your  life where you will because here’s the thing - trouble don’t care nothing about where you live or what you do, it will still show up. In the passage 2 Corinthians 1:4-10, Paul speaks about affliction, but within each sentence the word “comfort” comes shortly after. In these scriptures, Paul lets us know that we have the comfort of Jesus in us and with that we are suppose to comfort other people who are suffering similar hardships. Pull out your bible and turn to these scriptures! It’s really important that we truly understand this. The comfort in our affliction doesn’t change the affliction but it changes the nature of it. The nature of the trouble you may be going through while you wait for your breakthrough. I know it may seem cool to think that if you follow Jesus, you will never have to experience pain but that is so far from the truth. In fact, you can be totally on fire for the Lord and still be afflicted.

    The best thing you can do while you are in the midst of your storm would be to identify with Christ in your pain. Yes you will still have pain, but then it turns into pain with a purpose. Become a partner with Him. Close in on His word. Draw closer to those who inspire you spiritually. God wants to work in us before He works for us. So while you wait to be delivered, at least you can cover up with His covering. Life isn’t about waiting till the storm is over, it’s about learning how to dance, smile and praise God while you in the middle of it. He is producing something in you that will appear in His time. Not only is your affliction God’s calling to get closer to Him, but it is also an opportunity for your ministry.

God Bless You!

*Crystal M. Cherry

*Be on the lookout  for “With Affliction Comes Comfort” Part 2, coming soon!