Creator, Father, King #331

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.

IF YOU’VE LEARNED HOW to drive a car, your driving instructor (hopefully!) taught you an important rule: don’t just focus on what’s immediately ahead of you; look farther down the road.

Young motorists are often guilty of nearsighted driving—not looking much farther than their car’s hood ornament. This is dangerous: nearsighted drivers won’t see the road hazard in the distance . . . until it’s too late. Being aware of your surroundings makes you a better driver.

A similar principle applies to us as we navigate the trials of life. We’ve spent a great deal of time focusing on how to walk through adversity in a God-glorifying manner—and rightfully so. Hardships affect us all.

But there’s an aspect of enduring trials that we often neglect: thinking of others. Look at the fascinating words of 2 Corinthians 1:3-4:

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.

Using the adversity we experience to bless others? For many of us, that’s a spiritual U-turn.

What’s It Mean?

By nature, we are self-centered people. We can get so wrapped up in our own lives. It’s especially easy to do when we are suffering. However, our trials are not all about us. In his divine wisdom, God has designed them both for our spiritual good and for the benefit of others.

The Lord wants us to use everything we learn from our hardships—the spiritual comfort we receive, the wisdom we attain, the faith that is built up—to encourage others. Today’s verse exhorts us to shed a nearsighted view of our trials and embrace a more expansive, outward-focused mentality.

Has God worked mightily in your trials? Has he shone his marvelous light into the darkness you’ve experienced? Tell others about the comfort you’ve received from him. Be a beacon of gospel-centered hope.

In this way, you will be like a seasoned driver, aware not only of what is immediately ahead of you, but also of your greater surroundings—like those hurting around you.

Now What?

Read Romans 12:15; Galatians 6:2; and Proverbs 17:17 to learn more about how to put today’s principle into practice.

Did You Know?

Maybe your trial is so dark that you can’t give encouragement to others right now. That’s okay. Just remember that God wants to bring you to a place where you eventually can testify about his gracious comfort.