Comforting each other

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 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. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation. - 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Comfort is a wonderful thing. Comfort is a needed thing. Of course the source of all real comfort is the God of comfort.

But it goes beyond just God's comfort. As God comforts us  he expects us to comfort each other. He comforts us in every tribulation that we might be able to comfort others in their tribulation.

There is no indication that we are going to be able to get out of tribulation, and the sufferings for Christ are going to abound. But in that suffering Christ's consolation also abounds.

It is easy to wonder why we of through things. There can be many reasons, but one of them is so that we can help others when they go through tough times. If we have been there we are better able to help others when they go though it. Paul and his team had really been through out, but they rejoiced because not they would be better able to help others.

When we got through our own struggles we need to get our eyes off ourselves and look for chances to comfort and console others in their own troubles.