Conflicts on the outside, fears on the inside

For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, - 2 Corinthians 7v5-6

I really like Paul. He says it like it is and in a way that we can all identify with. We can certainly understand what this feels like – “no rest…troubled in every side, outside were conflicts, inside were fears.”

Often, especially those who are in the vocational ministry, think when these times happen we can just tough it out and depend on God. After all if we are really spiritual and if we really men all we need is God to comfort us, right?

But look how God comforted Paul. When Paul was without rest, when trouble came from every side, when he had conflicts on the outside, and fears on the inside, God did comfort him.

But how did He do it? The God of all comfort, who comforts the downcast, sent Titus, Paul’s brother in Christ to comfort him.

We must never forget the fact that God uses His people to comfort each other. We need to ever be aware that God may want us to be a Titus to that one who is troubles and in despair. On the other hand, there may be times when we need to recognise the Titus God has sent to comfort us.