wkc talk 1 - Elizabeth Foord

looking out when things go wrong..

2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Out of sufferings and difficulties can come strenghts and blessings. Paul starts this letter with a praise to God in the midst of all his hardship because God is a God of comforter. Knowing this, we can always turn to God who shows compassions when things surround us fall apart, whether physical challenges, problems in our surroundings, and especially those that come as a result of carrying our cross as Christians (i.e. rejection by others).

There are benefits to sufferings:

• Comforts from God (v4) as we turn to Him, be it through His words, friends, etc.
• Ministry opportunities (v4) as we emphatise with others having been comforted by God Himself.
• Taking part in Christ's suffering (v5) when we are faithful in our walks with Christ.
• Reliance on God than ourselves (v9) and the assurance that He'll deliver us again and again.

Therefore, we shouldn't be discouraged, but keep on praying to God, not just looking into the hardship, but look up to God and let God uses us to emphatise with others in order for His comforts to overflow to others.