Introduction

2 Corinthians was written in a vulnerable time in Paul’s life (56 AD). This particular writing often speaks of his afflictions, tribulations, and struggles. Paul shares from a place of vulnerability of his own affliction and comfort found in God. He starts 2 Corinthians by praising God. He calls Him, “the God of mercy and all comfort”, and he tells us that we can comfort others just as we have found comfort in our afflictions. Jesus can and will redeem our past through comfort, and He will invite us to do the same for others. Not so they can find comfort in us, but so they can find mercy and comfort from the God of all comfort. What is comfort, and how do we get it? The words “all comfort” in this passage come from the Greek word paraklesis.

This word for comfort in the New Testament is always more than soothing sympathy. It is the idea of strengthening, helping, and making strong. Paul says the Father is a comforter, a Paraclete (paraklesis). Paraclete is also used to represent both the Holy Spirit (Jn14:16, 14:26, 15:26, 16:7) and Jesus (1 Jn 2:1, Heb. 2:18, Luke 2:25). The word Paraklesis is a compound of para and kaleo which means literally “to call near.” God, in every aspect of His being, is full of comfort, strength, and help for us. One of God’s purposes in comforting us is to enable us to bring comfort to others. God’s comfort can be given and received through others.

Painful Past

•Many of us have painful pasts. Most of us, in some way or another, have experienced trauma.
•How we deal with it can determine how we move forward. Our past is part of our story. We can’t ignore it. We can’t “will” it away. In fact, the more we do this, the unhealthier we can become.
•If we’re honest, we all try to escape reality at times. Whether it’s an addict using or a Christian reading hundreds of books a year or a parent living vicariously through their children.
•Some look better on the outside, but it’s all the same. Anything that moves us away from God into self-reliance is all the same.
•The word affliction used in this passage means pressing together, pressure, oppression, affliction, tribulation, and distress
•This is the biblical word for what we call today “trauma.”
•Paul had trauma (2 Cor. 11:23-28).

Redeeming Memories

•We all have memories. Even the slightest thing can trigger them.
•Maybe you’ve lived through child abuse, a car accident, a traumatic childbirth, been the victim of violent crime, or served in the military—the list can go on forever.
•These events that can stay locked in our minds play in our memories for a long time.
•Memories, even the painful ones, can be a blessing from God. They can cause us to praise Him, driving us to the cross when we remember our sins, but know His mercy is more.
•Out of those memories, you can relate to others going through something similar.
•For some, living with traumatic memories can drive them into a dark place of despair and hopelessness. Maybe that’s you. You know the truths of the Bible, but you remember the past, and it continues to keep you trapped and there seems to be no escape.

Redeemed Comforter

•To take the fear out of a memory, you must fast forward past the pain to a time when you are safe. As Christians, we can fast forward to places in the Bible that assure us of a time when we will be free from all traumas and genuinely safe.
• In suffering, we must cast our eyes forward to eternity and meditate there for a while. Jesus provides our safe place that cannot be shaken. A time is coming when we will be in the Lord’s presence, safe for all eternity.
• God’s desire is that we would endure through suffering. The Greek word for enduring isn’t the idea of passive, apathetic acceptance but of the kind of spirit that can triumph over pain and suffering to achieve the goal. It is the spirit of the marathon runner.
• God did not work only through the suffering Paul endured. God also worked good things in others through the comfort Paul received from the Lord. (Shari Kiffe)
• Paul, living in the footsteps of Jesus, was truly an others-centered person. Paul’s life is not focused on himself but on the Lord and on those whom the Lord has given him to serve.
Conclusion
Jesus can redeem our past and our memories and bring us comfort so that we can bring that same comfort to others. For this to happen, we must allow the Lord to take them. At times we hold our broken pieces so close and tightly. We think that they cannot be put back together if we aren’t holding them. When, in reality, we know this is not true. We need to lay them down at the feet of Jesus. Once we do this, we will experience the redeeming comfort awaiting us.

Discussion Questions

1.How does you past impact you?
2.How do you deal with painful memories?
3.Have you allowed yourself to fully experience the impact of God’s mercy and comfort? Have you shared this comfort with others?