A Moment With Pastor Fred

“Why did this happen to me?” is one of the most common questions asked in the counseling room. It is answered by Apostle Paul in 2 Cor 1:3-11.  Look up this text. “Comfort” is used 10 times. Comfort is the first thing we look for when troubles come – and here, God is called “the God of all comfort.” This refutes the notion that he hates us – a temptation we ask ourselves when suffering.

Why did this happen to me?  I’ve asked this question myself. Whatever happened occurred that I might experience God’s comfort. Far too often my first response to heartache is self-pity. Why me? It is so easy to get caught in a downward tailspin of self-inflicted misery. That helps no one. And it dishonors God. Our focus must be God-centered, not self-centered. Suffering has a way of attacking our self-reliance, that our hope must be in God and not in others or ourselves. Suffering becomes a ministry when we allow it to help others. There is a chain reaction. God comforts us and we in turn can comfort others. When days grow dark it is so easy to look within, to become captive by our feelings. But feelings are great liars. God is glorified when in suffering our focus remains on him, allowing him to comfort us so that we can serve others.

God moves in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform. He plants his footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm. You fearful saints, fresh courage take; the clouds you so much dread;. are big with mercy and shall break in blessings on your head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense but trust him for his grace; behind a frowning providence, he hides a smiling face.”