Have you ever been through a period of time where you cannot wait for it to be over, but God keeps you there? Let us be real. You may be going through it right now. This period feels strenuous, weighty, and you really begin to wonder if the Lord’s burden for us to carry is light. You begin to wonder that all that he has promised you is really going to come to pass and if you’ll ever see the light at the end of the tunnel. It is easy to look around you and wonder if anyone can see that what you are going through and even sometimes wonder if God truly understands.
I have learned that the valleys will teach you lessons that the mountain tops never can. When we go through these moments, I believe it is important to be aware of what is going on in our hearts. The valley’s make us ask the hard questions such as, do I really trust God is good and for me? Do I really believe? Is there a lie I am believing about who God is? Do I have the correct perspective of who I am in my heavenly father’s eyes? Am I really following Jesus or am I just going through the motions of meaningless religion? In these moments of hardship, when we ask these questions, we are inviting God in to prune off what will not last through the fire. This also gives us the chance to grow into a deeper and more intimate relationship with him.
We are often tempted during the hardships to want to run away from what is going on or quit in the middle. But what if what we are going through right now has a deeper purpose? We do not always look at a deeper purpose in our suffering, but I believe is essential to look beyond the surface in the midst.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.” -2 Corinthians 1:3-5 CSB
God is knowns as the Father of Mercies and the God of All Comfort. Being the Father of Mercies means that he has deep feelings about the difficulty and misfortune you are walking through, he is sympathetic and empathetic. We serve a God that not only knows about the valley’s because he was there (look at the life of Jesus). But God is walking with us through the valley’s through the power of the Holy Spirit. He did not leave us alone. What great news that even in what feels like our loneliest moments we are not alone. Thankfully because we have Holy Spirit, we have the best help, counselor, and comforter we could ever ask for. God is also known as the God of all Comfort which means God is our refreshment in times of need. God is ready and willing to encourage and strengthen us when we ask.
God does not take what you are going through lightly. Which is exactly why Paul reminds us that our suffering is not wasted. He exclaims over and over in 2 Corinthians 1 that comfort is here and gently reminds us to not to give up! Paul reminds us here that what we are going through is not wasted but is going to help others. Aren’t you thankful for the people who have helped you through suffering because they walked it before you? God takes what the enemy meant for evil and turns it out for good!
If you are suffering right now, remember comfort is here. Look no further than the promise of the Holy Spirit. It is so easy to look around and point out everything that is happening around you. But it is of great importance to look deeper and see what God is doing in you and what he is going to do through you. We must see things through a heavenly reality rather than an earthly. When we focus on Jesus, we can see that even when it feels like this is never going to end, comfort is here. Even when it feels like the promises are never going to pass, God says his promises are yes and Amen! When you are tired, ask and he will renew your strength. Where suffering seems to overflow, this is where God’s comfort will overflow. God is with you, his intentions are good, and his love never fails. Lay the burdens you have been feeling at his feet and know that he is willing and able to comfort you through this.
Further Scripture Study:
- Isaiah 41:10
- 2 Corinthians 1
- Romans 8
- Psalm 23:4
- John 14:26
