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The Purpose of Tribulation :: Deeper Devotion

The Purpose of Tribulation

December 23, 2008
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By Tim Wade

2 Corinthians 1:3, 4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

To say that Hurricane Katrina has redefined the word tribulation for the people in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama is an understatement. And yet, in spite of all the brokenness, there remains for everyone touched by this tragedy a purpose for its

James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights, in whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

As crazy as it may seem, tribulations, or afflictions, are a gift from GOD. While He doesn’t cause tribulation to happen in our lives, He does allow tribulation to come upon His children. And when it does come, He carries us through the experience and comforts us along the way. That comfort, however, does not belong to us. It is a stewardship, and as Christians we must pass it on to others who are in trouble. That is one of the purposes of the Church.

You don’t have to go through a natural disaster in order to experience GOD’s comfort. Divorce of one’s parents, a boyfriend or girlfriend breaking up with you, the death of a close friend, all serve as hurricanes in our lives. The key to getting through the storms of life is Jesus. Other Christians have already gone through the pain that you may now be experiencing. Go to them and ask them to give you the comfort they received from Christ when they were in pain. It is in this way that we can truly say that all things work together for good to them who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Christians should not be afraid to go through tribulation. They should embrace the tough times knowing that GOD will comfort them and then use them to comfort others who have similar problems.