Filled with feelings of discouragement andhelplessness, weary souls plod through dismal and shadowy valleys. Weare human. We know what fear and discouragement are. Even the apsotlePaul admitted to being downcast. Although the details of hissituation were different, his words sounds as though he has walked inour shoes. "When we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had norest, but we were harassed at every turn-conflicts on the outside,fears within."/1
Distress can come into our lives from manydifferent sources. Different paths wind their way into the darkvalley. Some of those trails we might ;inflict upon ourselves. Atother times, they can seem foisted upon us withoutprovocation.
• Looking at the bills a husband's fear grows as he realizes outflow exceeds income.• A drunk driver careens into oncoming traffic unleashing havoc on a young family.
• Feeling the crushing weight of guilt, a teenager panics as ripples from that choice cast life into a tail spin.
• A chronic debilitating disease showly envelopes a healathy body.
• A couple, watching their child grow up into a young person, begins to notice a pattern of bad choices.
• Before marriage, a wife had dreamed of a husband who would care for her, be a family man and provide for their needs. One day she wakes up to the realization, "that is not who I married."
• A family feels fear creep into their lives as unemployment lingers on.
• Then there are those Christians like Paul, who are concerned about the reign of God in the hearts and lives of people. Perhaps their congregation looks like a raft full of survivors in the open sea.
If we are walking through a dark valley, whatare we to do? Paul had been filled with fear and facing conflict.Yet something happened enabling him to write, "my joy was greaterthan ever."/2 Where did Paul find a solution? He summed it up in thephrase, "but God, who comforts the downcast."/3 Paul admitted he hadfears within, "but God who comforts the downcast" brought relief.This was no fluke or special situation.
Paul began 2 Corinthians claiming God can handlethe trouble in your life. "Blessed be the God and Father of our LordJesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, whocomforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able tocomfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort withwhich we ourselves are comforted by God."/5 God is not locked ina box far away and impotent of acting in this world. The Creator isnot limited to providing eternal.
What practical counsel does scripturesuggest?
First, set your hope on God. Know that God canhelp. God can work through his providence, through his word andthrough his people to transform and liberate.
Second, James promises, "draw near to God and hewill draw near to you."/4 Drawing near to God might includepurifying our hands and hearts. Has materialism, greed or serving egocreated a credit card nightmare? Has our heart harbored a grudge?Drawing near can also entail developing spiritual disciplines likeprayer.
Third, comfort others with the comfort God hasgiven you. One of the ways God brings comfort is by working throughhis people.
Barry Newton, Copyright © 2005
1\ 2 Corinthians 7:5
2\ 2 Corinthians 7:7
3\ 2 Corintihians 7:6
4\ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
5\ James 4:8
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