WHY?????

One of the most frequent questions I have been asked over the years of ministry is:  “Why did God allow this trial or that struggle into my life?”  More specifically: 

“Why did He give me a child with special needs?”

“Why does my spouse struggle with a drinking or drug problem?” 

“Why is divorce a part of my life?”

“Why did I just hear the doctor diagnose cancer?” 

“Why did I lose my job and how can I care for my family without it?” 

“Why did God allow my loved one to die?”

“Why?” is a question that is common to man.  In fact Jesus said in John 16:33:  “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 

I don’t profess to have answers to all the question of “Why?” other than to say that Jesus told us plainly that we would face struggles and we live in a world that suffers death, disease, and destruction because of the original sin of man! 

While “Why?” may be a common question that comes from our lips, in light of Jesus’ warning that we will have trouble in this world, perhaps the more important question to ask while facing earthly struggles should to be “What?”  “Lord, what do you want me to do with this struggle?” 

Paul, in 1 Corinthians 1:3-5, gives us a hint as to the correct answer to the question “What?”:  “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 have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.” 

God never promises to remove all our pain, troubles, and struggles on this earth.  He does, however, promise to comfort us and be with us as we go through those trials and struggles.  As believers, we never go through them alone even if there are no human companions to walk with us – Jesus and the Holy Spirit comfort us and never leave us alone!  From the comfort that He gives us in our trials comes the answer to the question:  “What am I to do with this struggle?” 

We face struggles because we live in a fallen world.  God comforts us in those struggles so that we, in turn, can comfort others who may be going through similar struggles!  WOW!!!  What an amazing ministry!  Because I have experienced the loving comfort of Jesus during my struggle, I am equipped by Him to comfort others in like struggles.

So what does it mean to “comfort” someone else?  The word translated “comfort” comes from the Greek word meaning “one who draws along side of, one who encourages, consoles, comforts”.  It is the same word used to describe the Holy Spirit who Jesus sent as our Comforter.  It is important to note that the one who is comforting is not self-centered, he is others-centered; committed to helping others by drawing near to them. 

You may be wondering what that act of comforting looks like in action.  Let me give you an example.  I lost my parents when they were relatively young and I have, as a pastor, spent many hours in funeral homes with others who have lost loved ones.  By observation it is easy to pick out those who have never experienced the loss of a loved one.  They frequently approach the bereaved with endless chatter because they feel they need to be saying something to the individual.  On the other hand, one who has experienced a loss and is being used by the Lord as a comforter, will approach the bereaved and offer a hug and simply tell them that they are praying for them and offer any assistance that might be needed.  Later, when the funeral is over and the loss really hits home, the comforter draws alongside the bereaved and listens and walks with and encourages them through to healing.

A comforter who is being used by God is one who is willing to walk along side of another, encourage them, and listen as they work through their struggles no matter how long it takes.  It may include Bible study but it seldom, if ever, includes “preaching” to the individual.  Your best guideline is to think back and remember how God used Himself or another comforter to minister to you in your time of struggle and use that as an example.

What are the struggles this life has thrown at you?  What are you going to do about them? Are you willing to allow God to use you to comfort others with the comfort with which you have been comforted?  If you will allow God to use you in this way it will bless you beyond words and bring true meaning and understanding to your own struggle.