Finding Comfort in Times of Emotional Pain and Suffering
The Bible presents comfort in times of emotional pain and suffering as both a divine provision and a communal responsibility. A foundational passage, 2 Corinthians 1:4, states that God "comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" [2]. This suggests a cyclical process where divine comfort enables believers to extend solace to others [2].
The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this, noting that if believers are afflicted, it is for the comfort and salvation of others, and if they are comforted, it is also for the comfort of others, producing patient endurance in shared sufferings [1, 3]. This perspective implies that personal suffering and subsequent comfort can serve a redemptive purpose within the community of faith [1, 3].
While the book of Job vividly portrays the depths of human suffering and the inadequacy of human comfort (Job 16:6) [4], it also highlights the expectation of comfort, even if it is a "melancholy satisfaction" of not being alone in downfall, as seen in Ezekiel's prophecy [9]. The Old Testament often depicts God's anger as a necessary response to sin, leading to suffering, but also predicts a decisive outpouring of God's wrath on human sin at the end of history [7]. However, the New Testament emphasizes that Christians can expect to face hostility and trials in a sinful world, and should not be surprised by them [6].
The duty to comfort the afflicted is a recurring theme in biblical instruction. Believers are called to pray for, sympathize with, pity, remember, visit, and relieve those in distress [5]. John Gill, in his commentary on Job, suggests that the anticipation of death can bring comfort to the suffering, especially when viewed as an end to pain and a gateway to a "happy future state" [8]. Adam Clarke, commenting on 1 Thessalonians, emphasizes that comfort can be found in the assurance that "it shall be well with the righteous" in all circumstances, encouraging believers to edify each other with this truth [11]. He also notes that true comfort from the prospect of judgment comes only to those whose sins are blotted out and whose hearts are purified [10].
Sources
- 2 Corinthians “But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer. -- 2 Corinthians 1:6”
- 2 Corinthians “who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. -- 2 Corinthians 1:4”
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 1:6 (BSB) — If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which accomplishes in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we experience.”
- Job “Job 16:6 (LITV) — If I speak, my pain is not held back; and though I forbear, what ease do I get?”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted, Duty Toward The — To pray for them -- Ac 12:5; Php 1:16,19; Jas 5:14-16. To sympathise with them -- Ro 12:15; Ga 6:2. To pity them -- Job 6:14. To bear them in mind -- Heb 13:3. To visit them -- Jas 1:27. To comfort them -- Job 16:5; 29:25; 2Co 1:4; 1Th 4:18. To relieve them -- Job 31:19,20; Isa 58:10; Php 4:14; 1Ti 5:10. To protect them -- Ps 82:3; Pr 22:22; 31:5.”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 4:12: 4:12-19 Peter instructs Christians one last time about the way to face the trials that will inevitably come. 4:12 don’t be surprised: Christians, especially those seeking to lead godly lives, can expect to face the hostility of a sinful world (see John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Rom 8:17; Phil 1:29).”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
- Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 6:9: Then should I yet have comfort,.... Either before death, and in the midst of all his pains and sorrows, being in view of it as near at hand, and sure and certain; could he but be assured of its near approach, he could exult in his afflictions; it would be an alleviation of his trouble, that he should be soon out of it; and he would sit and sing upon the brink of eternity, and say, "O death, where is thy sting! O grave, where is thy victory?" Co1 15:55; his sufferings being just at an end, and being comfortably persuaded of a happy future state, and a glorious resurrection”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 32:31: comforted--with the melancholy satisfaction of not being alone, but of having other kingdoms companions in his downfall. This shall be his only comfort--a very poor one!”
- 1 Thessalonians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Thessalonians 4:18: Comfort one another with these words - Strange saying! comfort a man with the information that he is going to appear before the judgment-seat of God! Who can feel comfort from these words? That man alone with whose spirit the Spirit of God bears witness that his sins are blotted out, and the thoughts of whose heart are purified by the inspiration of Gods Holy Spirit, so that he can perfectly love him, and worthily magnify his name. Reader, thou art not in a safe state unless it be thus with thee, or thou art hungering and thirsting after righteousness. If s”
- 1 Thessalonians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Thessalonians 5:11: Comfort - one another - Rest assured that, in all times and circumstances, it shall be well with the righteous; let every man lay this to heart; and with this consideration comfort and edify each other in all trials and difficulties.”