"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 in this passage from St. Paul’s letter catch the reader’s attention: "affliction" and "consolation." These words often go hand in hand in our lives, don't they? Affliction refers to the tension and pressure we feel when worried about the future. It's that deep anxiety, those sleepless nights, the overworked days. We all know what it feels like to be weighed down by fears and uncertainties.
But St. Paul also speaks of consolation. In Armenian, the word is «Մխիթարութիւն» which means "don't be afraid, don't worry." Consolation in the Bible goes beyond mere words of encouragement. It means a deep, divine comfort that transcends our understanding. This comfort comes directly from the heart of God, reassuring us that we are not alone, that we are seen and loved, and that our struggles are not in vain.
In times of affliction, God's consolation is like a soothing balm to our wounded souls. It’s the quiet whisper in the chaos that says, "Don't be afraid, don't worry, I am with you. I will never leave you nor forsake you." It’s the gentle embrace that holds us when we feel we are falling apart. This divine consolation is a reminder that we have a Heavenly Father who is intimately aware of our pain and is actively working to bring us through it.
When we receive this kind of consolation from God, it changes us. It fills us with peace that surpasses all understanding, and it equips us to extend that same peace to others. We become agents of God’s comfort, bringing His presence into the lives of those around us. Our own experiences of divine consolation empower us to speak life and hope into the hearts of those who are struggling.
So today, if you are feeling the weight of affliction, remember that you are not alone. God is with you, ready to console you with His boundless love and mercy. And if you have been consoled by God, look around you. There may be someone in your life who needs that same comfort. Reach out to them. Share the peace and strength that God has given you and become living testimony of God's unfailing love and mercy.
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