2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

I am reminded this morning that God is merciful, and He it is that comforts us when the testings and trials of this life come upon us – no matter how hard they might be. Paul’s testing was so harsh that he “despaired even of life.” But Paul reminds us in verse four why we are comforted. He says it is done “that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble.”

He comforts us “that”, or “for the reason”,  we  might comfort others. Maturity in the Christian life causes me to stop looking at everything through the lens of “me”, and to begin to see what happens through the lens of Christ and others. If there’s a trouble in my life, or testing, or situation I don’t understand, first, I should seek the God of all comfort, Who is willing and able to comfort me. Secondly, as I begin to receive that comfort, I ought to begin to look for ways to also comfort those who need comfort. This is the mind of God.