"For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ...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"
~II Corinth 1:5&7~
I know that James 1:2 says to "count it all joy when you fall into various trials"...but it's hard to be joyful at that moment. I love the closeness and comfort from God that comes through hard times, and I know Phil 1:29 says " For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake". But I found one of the greatest reasons why this matters this last week. As we went on a mission camp trip, there were kids there I could identify with, and as the verses above state "partake in the consolation". I could share the hope of Christ through that particular situation because I've been there. If I had never suffered through it, I could not have consoled them the same way. I've never been actually glad I've endured these things until then, to connect with the human spirit sharing hope. That's exactly why Jesus did what He did...coming here, enduring suffering, to connect with our spirit, console us deeply, and make our hope steadfast...I pray singer Steven Curtis Chapman, who lost his 5 yr old little girl Marie last yr, can share in the consolation of radio announcer JJ Jasper who lost his little boy Cooper this weekend.
