https://odb.org/MY/2021/11/03/comfort-shared-2
When we are going through a period of suffering, we may ask God why? Why is this happening to me? Why me? Why didn’t you shield me, protect me and shelter me from this pain? Sometimes we pray for the entire environment to change so that our pain will be no more. But more often than not, the pain and suffering remain and we will be forced by the circumstances to face it, to confront it, to go through it. We may withdraw from the world or go on self destructive habits like drink – to drown our sorrows, so to speak. But, sorrows cannot be drowned! Such behaviour is self destructive as the pain and suffering remain. Drinking doesn’t change anything except the condition of our liver!
Paul speaks of comforting others in 2 Corinthians 1:4 with the comfort we receive from God. In the scriptural background page of today’s ODB, the writer talks about paraklesis or parakletos. Perhaps there lies the key to overcoming our despair and doom over our pain and suffering? There is a purpose in our suffering. Paul went through a lot in his journey as an apostle to the churches then. He said it was more than he could bear so that he despaired over life itself, meaning to say, it was so bad that he even lost hope in living. Yet through it all, Paul endured and He received his comfort from God who understands all things, who is caring and compassionate like no other. He received his comfort from the Holy Spirir, our parakletos, our comforter.
When I went through the difficult patch in my life 4 years back, my wife fully supported and comforted me. God also did that but He did more. He helped me to forgive myself and the various antagonists in that chapter of my life. Have I forgotten them? No. Have I forgiven them? Yes, through the comfort from my wife and God. Was God real? Yes, He was. His prophesies for me during those times came true to the letter. I knew and experienced Him. Did I blame Him? No. Do I know His purpose for me going through that pain? Yes, so I may share with others the comfort I received from Him.
Seek out the Lord and the Holy Ghost. They are the parakletos of our lives. As we receive their love, compassion and comfort, we will be able to share the same with others. More importantly, we are able to forgive and sincerely from the bottom of our hearts. We can truly say, never mind, we can live another day. God has a purpose for me for going through all this. I’ll be stronger and I will be able to help others in future. Thank you, Lord for your love, compassion and comfort, my true parakletos!
Ronnie's Thoughts 