Comfort in Struggle

We’ve been focusing on the saints this year as much as possible in our daily blog. The reason is twofold. First, we learn of the great sacrifices they offered to protect the faith for us to have today. The second, much more nuanced, is the courage and comfort it offers to us in our daily struggle.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God and Timothy our brother. To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound for us, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken; for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you all also share in our comfort.

2^nd Corinthians 1.1-7

The very first message that Saint wanted to get across to the Corinthians in today’s reading was when he suffered, it was for their salvation. When he was comforted, it was for their salvation. Why would Saint Paul want us to know his suffering was for us? He knew we would suffer for the same reasons he suffered. The saints we commemorate every day suffered for the same reason. We all suffer for Christ.

The other day I was reminded of this truth. Someone was trying to get me ‘riled up’ about something that had been said about me in town. I refused to get upset, which ironically upset the person I was with. This person was defending me and could not accept that I was not upset about the things being said.

My ministry is not mine, but the Lord’s. I fully expect people to talk about me and against me. It is one reason I am comforted by the saints in the past. If they suffered ridicule and even torture, I could handle a few baseless complaints. I am nothing special. If my willingness to hear a few rumors about myself offers a bit of courage and comfort to others in they struggle to live as Orthodox Christians, it is worth every word.

Since the very beginning of the Church there have always been those fighting the truth of Christ. There have always been those casting doubt among the faithful. There have always been those who would stop at nothing to stop the Church from spreading the hope of the Gospel. Why should today be any different? What was true for Christ and His disciples is still true for Christ and His Church today.

Don’t take my word for it. Listen to Christ. “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” (John 15.20)

Receive your struggle as a badge of honor for Christ. Christ was honored with suffering. The saints were honored with suffering. We will be honored with suffering. Think of Christ and the saints and have comfort that you are treated with the same honor as they. It is for our salvation.