by Ricky Doc Sauceda
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (Paul’s Thanksgiving after Affliction)
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 affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Affliction is emotional or physical distress. We try so very hard to live our lives under our own abilities but we indeed hit that inevitable dead end. We run out out of inner fuel. We are left feeling desolate and weak.
We seek help by Dr. "So and So" or friends or people that we know. They give us simple advise that amounts to futile assistance. So, where is it that we can have a reliable source of strength?
It is in the Lord; through Spirit and truth. He comforts us in our time of affliction. We are able to endure because He is vast and not limited in power. We must rely on Him.
Job suffered and was told this by his wife (Job 2:9): His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!"
As Job did, let us stand in the power of the Lord. Amen.