2 Corinthians 1:3-4

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 — “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
 
Why does God allow Christians to experience hardship, pain, and discomfort? Or in other words, why does God allow Christians to still experience the effects of sin even after they come into relationship with Him through Jesus Christ?

Well, to some degree, I don't know! But I trust God's perfect will. Yet we are also given insight into why.

First, hardship reminds us of our dependence upon God. He is the Creator and sustainer of life and everything in the universe, and we are creatures that God has created. I recently mentioned in a Bible study that I believe God creates every soul supernaturally and that the soul isn't just a product of natural causes. We were created by God, for God, and to enjoy God.

Second, in our dependence on God, He is our comforter. Hardship presents us an opportunity to seek God, who comforts us by and through His Holy Spirit, the paraclete and comforter!

Third, through our hardship and comfort, we gain perspective and experience to walk alongside one another as others experience hardship. Our hardship as Christians is an evangelism tool to suffering unbelievers. We may not like that idea in the midst of our hardship and suffering, but it's one of those things that later when you see the fruit of God working through your story, you can look back and 'thank you God for using all things for good for those called according to your purposes.'

None of that means that bad things are good. Nor does it mean that God inflicts hardship and suffering on His children. But it does mean that God is greater than that hardship, greater than that suffering, and can use it all to grow His Kingdom and lead you into deeper relationship with Him.

United in Christ,
Pastor Josh