2 Cor 1-2

I had never noticed before, but if Philippians is the "book of Joy" (somewhat misnamed) than the first chapter of 2 Corinthians must be the "chapter of Comfort". I don't think I've ever realized how many times the word comfort is written here.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort." 2 Cor 1:3-7 

But the chapter continues as Paul wants us to realize they suffered many hardships. They were under great pressure to the point they would rather die, far beyond what they themselves could endure.

I thought this was about comfort? But reading it again I see so much suffering. So many troubles. Distress. 

In John 16:33 Jesus says "In this world you will have trouble". Other translations say "tribulations", "trials and sorrow", and others.

Don't get me wrong though, God comforts. In Him our hope is sure. We do not need to gamble our eternal fate when we come before Him and the cross. In Christ our future is sure and these present sufferings are nothing in comparison (Rom 8:18).

John 16:33 continues "But take heart! I have overcome the world." Jesus is our strong refuge and tower and the 2 Cor passage also continues like this in verse 10 "He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us".

I've heard before that we never find rest by running from our problems, but right in the middle of it as we trust God to help us overcome them we find peace like that in the eye of a hurricane. Even beyond what we can bear, we always know He is with us and has overcome it all.

As seen in the passage, comfort is found as we trust in Christ, in the midst of troubles.