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.
A person would have to be blind—or willfully dismissive—to miss the negative terms in this passage:
- Tribulation
- Trouble
- Sufferings
- Afflicted
It would be so wrong—almost heretically so—to portray successful, godly, genuine Christianity as one of happiness, prosperity, and constant victory. We are, in the end, victorious. We have, after all, every reason to be happy. We will, in the last day, enjoy joint heirship with Christ.
But in this world, all who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution, tribulation, trouble, sufferings—affliction.
Should we then shy away from this form of genuine Christianity? Not by any means! Our Father is “the God of all comfort.” And as such, He sends us forth—not only as witnesses of the resurrection of Christ—but as ministers of comfort.
After 40 years of pastoral ministry, this is my heart and desire. Having been comforted of the Lord in all our tribulation through the years of ministry, I long to be a comfort to others in the ministry. I want to come alongside. I want to encourage, cheer, and lift up the hands that sometimes grow weak and weary in the battle.
I find it interesting—and a blessing—to see how the Lord is working in my two sons.
One of them, my youngest, has just finished a full year as the senior pastor of the church God called him to. After having been used as my assistant, my comforter, my helper (you might benefit from a personal meditation on the word “helper” as it is found in this chapter) in the faith, I have a great desire to be the same for him. As a member of the church he pastors, I see my primary duty as a helper in this church.
My oldest son, having pastored eleven years before sensing the Lord’s leading to step aside due to his wife’s health issues, has now entered into a similar path of ministry as I desire. He speaks of a single man whose child lived near the town he pastored in (he has another child who lives on the East Coast and would do the same with them). Though this man was from Idaho, he would come each year to spend two weeks to a month with his kids and grandkids. While his kids don’t go to church, this man, every year while he was in town, became very involved in the church. He was faithful to services. He was supportive of the pastor’s preaching. He was happy to volunteer to mow lawns, repair things at the church, or do whatever else he could. Now my son finds himself in a position—having both his children now grown and out of the house—to do the same for others.
What a vital ministry: to comfort those in any trouble with the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
#MinistersOfComfort #FaithThroughTribulation #GodOfAllComfort #ServingInTheShadows #StrengthForTheWeary
From Tribulation to Testimony: Ambassadors of Comfort
💬 Are you facing trouble, tribulation, or trials right now?
God doesn’t waste your suffering. He comforts us so we can take action—step up and comfort someone else.
👉 Right now, think of one person in ministry or in your church who might be weary. Send them a message, a verse, or offer to help in a tangible way today. Be the encourager they didn’t know they needed.
📖 “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation…” – 2 Corinthians 1:4
🔥 Question for you: Who has God used to comfort you in hard times—and how can you follow their example this week? Drop a name or story in the comments.
🌎 Visit marvinmckenzie.org for more biblical insights and resources.
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