Trials Allow Us to Comfort Others

Why does God put His children through such terrible situations? Is there a purpose for our trials?

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“God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.” 2 Corinthians 1:4

“Your baby has a hole in his diaphragm and no lungs, so he cannot breathe on his own without machines. Even with advanced medical treatment, he has only a 5% chance of survival.”

Those were the devastating words we heard when our son David was born. Why does God put His children through such terrible situations? Is there a purpose for our trials?

Life is Not Always Happy

Life does not always turn out the way you expect. After 8 months in the hospital and many surgeries, we approached David’s first Christmas with very little joy or hope. I watched David struggle to breathe, realizing how easy breathing was for me, and how I took it for granted. I was so tired of seeing my baby suffer. Then I “heard” a voice in my head say, “I know how you feel. I watched my Son suffer, too.”

God Understands Our Suffering

God sent his Son to suffer for me. Jesus’ suffering started at Christmas -- his birth -- when the God who created the universe confined himself to a human body. “Though he was God… he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being” Philippians 2:6-7. How strange for Him to have to breathe, to feel hungry and uncomfortable, to depend on less-than-perfect parents to meet his every need. This world was a prison of limitations to His divine qualities. But he endured all this, and the pain of the cross, for you and me. “This High Priest (Jesus) of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” Hebrews 4:15

God Promises to Be With Us

God never promises to take away suffering, but He does promise to always be with us. “Even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.” Psalm 23:4.

God was with me in that hospital room, and because of that experience I have been able to understand and comfort others in ways I never could have before. Your testimony of God’s strength and hope through difficult times can speak to people who might not otherwise listen. So when you experience trials….“Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus….Who endured the cross because of the joy awaiting him.” Hebrews 12:1-2

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Pray this week:

For your eyes to stay focused on your hope in Jesus Christ, no matter what the trial.