Suffering in Christ Leading to Comfort

For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so through Christ our comfort also overflows. 2 Corinthians 1:5

Someone once said to me that Christians will go through hell before they get to heaven, and non-believers will go through heaven before they get to hell. I really believe this, in that heaven and hell on earth are displayed in a proverbial sense. But there is something powerful behind the suffering of a believer. Is Paul out of his mind by what he says in 2 Corinthians 1:5? Not at all! For Christ Himself has said also the same thing!

You are blessed when they insult and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me. ¹² Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12

The command of Christ here is to rejoice in these sufferings because our reward is considered great in heaven. Paul is echoing the same point, that in our sufferings for Christ by which we endure, so too does the overflow of Christ’ comfort by which we are embraced with. This is the magnified power of Christ! That no matter what suffering a brother or sister endures, Christ’ strength to keep joy in their heart is far greater than the sufferings that are before them!

Friends we need not abandon Christ when we endure suffering. For in remaining in Christ through affliction we are displaying the power of Christ in us! Let us hold to the teachings of Christ and rejoice in the midst of suffering, for He is powerful to comfort us in whatever trials and afflictions that we will face.