Shalom steemians! Be blessed in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Suffering and consolation are two integral aspects of the life of all human beings, and Christians are not left out. However, as child of God, what attitude do we have to face suffering in order to hope for consolation by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? As an answer to this question, we will go through some Bible passages. But before, let's define the notions of suffering and consolation.
What is suffering?
Suffering may be an experience of unpleasantness and aversion associated with the perception of harm or threat of harm in an individual ...
Source wikipedia
What is consolation?
Consolation is something that makes someone who is sad or disappointed feel better.
Source Cambridge Dictionnary
What should be our attitude to suffering according to the Bible?
1. Take courage
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.
Colossians 1:11
We are therefore encouraged to remain strong in all circumstances, counting on God, for he is almighty and nothing is impossible for him.
2. Hope
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
Isaiah 66:13
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
Psalms 119:50
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.
Hebrews 6:18
God's promises to us are eternal and constitute a pledge of certain hope. Among his promises is his commitment to comfort us.
3. Be confident
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I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 14:18
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
John 14:1
There hath no temptation taken you but as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
We must have faith in God and His word, for he pledges never to abandon us in our distress. When difficult situations arise, God gives us the strength to be able to support them nd always comes to our rescue.
4. Be merry
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:4
In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
Psalms 94:19
Verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
John 16:20
Suffering and consolation are bit like the faces of a single piece. If today we suffer, tomorrow we will be comforted. Instead of lamenting our fate, we must rejoice beforehand in that we will be comforted.
How to receive consolation through Jesus Christ?
5. Pray
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
Psalms 34:6
Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.
James 5:13
We are therefore exhorted to pray sincerely when we are in distress so that God, who is not insensitive to the sorrow of his children, may respond favorably to us.
6. Meditate
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Romans 15:4
The bible, which is a collection of the word of God and His will, has been written so that we may be edified and strengthened in faith, no matter what situations we go through.
7. Sing
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
Psalms 42:5
In the Book of Psalms, King David liked to express his feelings and emotions in song. Singing hymns to the glory of God was for him the best way to dominate his affliction and receive comfort from God.
Whatever your daily suffering, whether sickness, financial hardship, abandonment, unemployment and so on, keep your faith in Jesus Christ, because he alone is able to console you and to deliver you from all your sufferings.
Put into practice by prayer
Lord Jesus, if I suffer now, I know that you will comfort me, because you are faithful and you never give up your children who cry to you. I beg you to give me the strength and the courage to bear the weight of this suffering which overwhelms me by hoping in your name. From now on, grant me inner peace and joy, because I believe that you have already relieved me. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen!
May the peace and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you! Shalom!