“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.
Two words catch the reader’s attention in this passage of the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians: “affliction” and “consolation.” These words almost always appear together in our life as well. Distress or affliction is the tension and sense of pressure many of us feel when we worry about the future. This deep anxiety seems to be weighed down in our beings with all kinds of fears about the future. Distress is often the cause of our overworked days and sleepless nights.
In contrast to “trouble,” there is “consolation” in Armenian «Մխիթարություն» which is explained in the Armenian root dictionary as follows: “don't be afraid, don't worry.” However, comfort in the Bible is more than a simple word of encouragement. It means “to give strength” or “to strengthen.” In this verse, the Apostle Paul speaks about his personal experience and the power God gave him to face hardships, pressures, and tensions with a calm spirit and peace. He tells us not to be afraid or worry because our Lord God is “the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation” (2 Corinthians 1:3).
God is not indifferent. He knows all our troubles and difficulties. The Merciful Father is with us in our pain, losses, sorrow, and all kinds of distress. He is with us, cares for us, and promises to comfort our troubled souls and minds. No matter what kind of trouble we are in, let us always remember that we can rely on God’s loving mercy and His almighty power.
He gives His power and peace not only for our benefit, but “so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4).
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