How Do You Respond During Times of Trouble?
2 Corinthians 1:4
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NIV
3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
4] who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
5] For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
2 Mga Taga-Corinto 1:3
Purihin natin ang Diyos at Ama ng ating Panginoong Jesu-Cristo, ang mahabaging Ama at Diyos na pinagmumulan ng lahat ng kaaliwan.
2 Mga Taga-Corinto 1:4
Inaaliw niya tayo sa ating mga kapighatian upang sa pamamagitan ng kaaliwang tinanggap natin sa kanya ay makatulong naman tayo sa mga nahahapis.
2 Mga Taga-Corinto 1:5
Sapagkat kung gaano karami ang aming paghihirap dahil sa aming pakikipag-isa kay Cristo, gayundin naman karami ang aming kaaliwan kay Cristo.
"He comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction), so that we may be able to comfort (console and encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort (consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (2 Cor. 1:4)
If God allowed us to go through all our life without any obstacles, that would cripple us.
We would not be as strong as what we could have been. Not only that, we could never fly.
1 Pet. 1:7
"These trials are only to test your faith,
> to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold --
> and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold"
Thank God that when He looks at us in His eternal perspective through the blood-stained glasses, stained by the blood of Jesus, He does not see our dirt, but sees something more precious than gold.
The following are some suggested responses to afflictions:
1. Let the Lord take away the pain of your afflictions.
> He is the Father of sympathy.
> He pities us in our weakness.
> He showers us with mercy and goodness all the days of our life.
> We can sing of the mercy of the Lord forever.
> His comfort is a balm that heals us from every hurt and sooths our nerves and calms our emotions.
> He reduces stress with the peace that passes understanding so that our hearts and minds are guarded in Christ Jesus.
Paul writes, "Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we have received from God.
> For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.”
(2 Cor. 1 :4,5)
2. Believe that the Lord will use the affliction for a greater good.
> Paul writes, "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes.
(Rom. 8:28)
3. Thank God for the ways that He will use the affliction for building Godly character in you.
> James writes,
"Consider it pure joy when you encounter trials of many kinds knowing that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Let endurance have its perfect work that you may be complete lacking in nothing.
(James 1:2,3)
4. Follow the example of great men like the apostle Paul who turned affliction to his advantage.
> Paul writes,
"As sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as beaten down and yet not killed, as being poor yet making many rich; having nothing and yet possessing all things.
(2 Cor. 6:5-10)
5. Draw nearer to God in prayer through times of affliction.
> David writes, "O Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me. (Psa. 7: 1,2) O Lord, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death. (Psa. 9: 13) Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.
(Psa. 16: 1)
6. Ask the Lord to fight your battles and it will relieve your stress. David writes,
"Contend, O