Finding Comfort in Scripture for Personal Struggles
Finding Comfort in Scripture for Personal Struggles
The Bible provides comfort to believers facing personal struggles through various passages and themes. One key text is 2 Corinthians 12:10, where Paul writes, "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong" [1, 2]. This verse highlights the paradox that weakness can be a source of strength when endured for Christ's sake.
Torrey's Topical Textbook categorizes various biblical references related to affliction and comfort, including God's presence and support (Ps 46:5,7; Isa 43:2), divine comfort (Isa 49:13; Jer 31:13; 2Co 1:4,5; 7:6), and Christ's role in comforting believers (Isa 61:2; Mt 11:28-30; Lu 7:13; Joh 14:1; 16:33) [3]. The textbook also lists prayers for comfort and deliverance under affliction, such as Ps 4:6; 119:76; 25:17,22; 39:10 [4].
The concept of comfort in Scripture is closely tied to the idea of God's presence and support during times of trouble. According to Adam Clarke, Christ's suffering enables Him to sympathize with and succor those who are afflicted [6]. The comfort derived from Scripture is not limited to the words of Christ, but also includes the experiences of other biblical figures, such as David, who found comfort in God's word during his afflictions (Ps 119:48) [10].
Different Christian traditions interpret the role of Scripture in comforting believers. For example, John Gill notes that the afflictions of ministers like Paul are for the consolation and salvation of the saints (2Co 1:6) [9]. Similarly, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown comment that the sufferings of Christ and His Church are connected, and that believers can find comfort in this solidarity (2Co 1:5) [8].
The act of searching Scripture is also seen as a means of finding comfort. John Gill suggests that believers should "search and try our ways" during afflictive providences, examining the love of God and the covenant of grace for support and instruction (Lam 3:36) [7]. This introspective and scriptural approach to affliction is echoed in the Nonconformist/Puritan commentary on Psalms, where Matthew Henry notes that complaints and comforts take turns, like day and night, in the experience of believers (Ps 42:6) [5].
Sources
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 12:10 (Geneva1599) — Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproches, in necessities, in persecutions, in anguish for Christes sake: for when I am weake, then am I strong.”
- King James Version “[KJV] 2 Corinthians 12:10 — Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted Saints — God is with -- Ps 46:5,7; Isa 43:2. God is a refuge and strength to -- Ps 27:5,6; Isa 25:4; Jer 16:19; Na 1:7. God comforts -- Isa 49:13; Jer 31:13; Mt 5:4; 2Co 1:4,5; 7:6. God preserves -- Ps 34:20. God delivers -- Ps 34:4,19; Pr 12:13; Jer 39:17,18. Christ is with -- Joh 14:18. Christ supports -- 2Ti 4:17; Heb 2:18. Christ comforts -- Isa 61:2; Mt 11:28-30; Lu 7:13; Joh 14:1; 16:33. Christ preserves -- Isa 63:9; Lu 21:18. Christ delivers -- Re 3:10. Should praise God -- Ps 13:5,6; 56:8-10; 57:6,7; 71:20-23. Should imitate Christ -- Heb 12:1-3; 1P”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 42:6: Complaints and comforts here, as before, take their turn, like day and night in the course of nature. I. He complains of the dejections of his spirit, but comforts himself with the thoughts of God, Psa 42:6. 1. In his troubles. His soul was dejected, and he goes to God and tells him so: O my God! my soul is cast down within me. It is a great support to us, when upon any account we are distressed, that we have liberty of access to God, and liberty of speech before him, and may open to him the causes of our dejection. David had communed with his own heart about its ”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 2:18: For in that he himself hath suffered - The maxim on which this verse is founded is the following: A state of suffering disposes persons to be compassionate, and those who endure most afflictions are they who feel most for others. The apostle argues that, among other causes, it was necessary that Jesus Christ should partake of human nature, exposed to trials, persecutions, and various sufferings, that he might the better feel for and be led to succor those who are afflicted and sorely tried. This sentiment is well expressed by a Roman poet: - Me quoque per multas s”
- Lamentations (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Lamentations 3:36: Let us search and try our ways,.... stead of murmuring and complaining, let us search for something that may support and comfort, teach and instruct, under afflictive providences; let us search into the love of God, which, though it cannot be fully searched out, it will be found to be from everlasting to everlasting; and that all afflictions spring from it; and that it continues notwithstanding them: let us search into the covenant of grace, in which provision is made for afflictions in case of disobedience, and for supports under them: let us search the Scriptu”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 1:5: sufferings--standing in contrast with "salvation" (Co2 1:6); as "tribulation" (distress of mind), with comfort or "consolation." of Christ--Compare Col 1:24. The sufferings endured, whether by Himself, or by His Church, with which He considers Himself identified (Mat 25:40, Mat 25:45; Act 9:4; Jo1 4:17-21). Christ calls His people's sufferings His own suffering: (1) because of the sympathy and mystical union between Him and us (Rom 8:17; Co1 4:10); (2) They are borne for His sake; (3) They tend to His glory (Eph 4:1; Pe1 4:14, Pe1 4:16). abou”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 1:6: And whether we be afflicted it is for your consolation,.... The apostle repeats and explains the end of both his comforts and his troubles, and shows, by a dilemma, a strong way of arguing, that the afflictions and consolations, the adversity and prosperity of him, and the other ministers of the Gospel, were for the good of the saints: and it is as if he should say, when you see us continue to preach the Gospel with so much boldness and cheerfulness, amidst so many reproaches, afflictions, and persecutions, you must be the more established in the faith, and conf”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:48: This is my comfort in my affliction,.... David had his afflictions, and so has every good man; none are without; it is the will and pleasure of God that so it should be; and many are their afflictions, inward and outward: the word of God is often their comfort under them, the written word, heard or read; and especially a word of promise, powerfully applied: this is putting underneath everlasting arms, and making their bed in sickness. This either respects what goes before, concerning the word of promise hoped in, or what follows: for thy word hath quickened me; no”