2 Corinthians 1:4 (NASBStr)
... comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
We seldom think about the sufferings we are going through as being beneficial to those around us. It is a foreign concept to think my ill-health and subsequent victory through it is intended for some benefit of believers I may know, or may not know. But, yet, that is what Paul is telling us here in the first chapter. Our trials and tribulations, according to God, are for the purpose of preparing us to minister to others. We don't think of "trials" as "seminary" training. But, if we, by faith, approach our trials as God showing us HIs comfort so we can show others that some comfort, we will, by God's grace see the ministry expand. God has intended the Body of Christ to minister to the Body of Christ. Note in the above verse that we are told that once we experience the comfort of God through the minister of the Spirit we will be able to comfort those who are in "any" affliction. We tend to forget that God is preparing us and therefore He can use us in any way. Like Moses of old, we ought not fear God's mission, as though we don't have the equipment to complete the mission. God made the tongue, He told Moses, so therefore Moses can speak for God. God comfort us and that equips us to comfort others, no matter the level of their trial or tribulation. Let's not relegate "counseling" or "ministry" to the professionals. Professionalism is based upon training and preparation. God is using your trial today to prepare you and train for you ministry tomorrow.
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