2 Corinthians 1:5. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

Sufferings and Consolation

Sufferings and consolation go together in the Christian life.  You can’t have the comfort from Christ without the sufferings.  Paul made it pretty clear that sufferings can be enduring, or lasting.  That is necessary so that the consolation and comfort is lasting.  That is kind of the whole theme of the book of II Corinthians.  It is toward the end that we learn of Paul’s thorn in the flesh and the comfort and grace that comes with that suffering.  As the sufferings abound, or get greater, so the comfort and consolation grows.  God’s grace is always suffient, or enough, for any task at hand.

Growing in Grace

We need to grow as Christians by being able to take our medicine.  When sufferings happen, we must not go to pieces, but instead, be unmovable and always abounding in the work of the Lord.  That is because we have been down this road before.  We know the comfort that comes from suffering, so we know we can make it through.  The Christian needs to let the sufferings of Christ abound, or increase, in his life.  As the Lord brings more and more on us, we have to let His grace grow as well.  We need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit working in our lives.  Sufferings and consolation go together.  You can’t have the one without the other.