We have this idea in our modern churches that our story is simply our story – the compilation of our individual lived experiences molded together into what makes me me and you you. We see the world as something to process and be processed, yet without a Christ-centered perspective, that mindset simply isn’t enough. It’s an inward-focused view with wasted outward-focused potential. 

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When we tell our story in light of ourselves, all we’ve done is add noise to a world already teeming with endless voices. What differentiates our story from just another story is understanding our brokenness has a role in a much larger one – God’s story of restoration and redemption. 

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It’s one thing to say, “This happened to me,” and something entirely different to say, “This is who God showed Himself to be in the midst of my pain, and He changed everything.” 

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I think this is especially true when it comes to suffering. 

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When one of my siblings spent two years in and out of hospitals, my parents taught us to pay attention to who showed up to come alongside us in our pain. They also taught us to be people who quietly notice and help. Not with fanfare, but with authenticity. True pain needs people who listen, who move with gracious steps in hard places, who help carry burdens without expectations, and who are simply there to provide comfort in a time of need. 

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Psalm 34:18 tells us that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted. There will always be hard things ready to break your heart this side of Heaven, but because of Jesus, we can know comfort in their midst. He doesn’t leave us, and He doesn’t forsake us. What He does do is comfort us. 

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The Greek word for comfort in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 is paraklésis, which is a term of encouragement, exhortation, or consolation. It carries the idea of coming alongside someone and giving them aid. The same root is used for the Holy Spirit in John 14:16. Here, we see the Greek word paraclete translated as Helper or Comforter. This comfort refers to the Spirit of God coming alongside a believer to support and strengthen them. This is why we can then support and strengthen others – because God Himself has done it for us. 

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Being comforted by God changes a person. The juxtaposition of true suffering is that it teaches authentic joy. James told us to consider trials “pure joy” (James 1:2-4), and Paul said to “rejoice in our sufferings” (Rom. 5:3-5). Both men understood that difficulties produce character, endurance, and faith. They had also experienced the gift of being comforted by God in the midst of their many trials. Neither of them wasted that knowledge. 

If you’ve experienced the gift of being comforted by God in difficult circumstances, what are you doing with what you’ve learned? Who can you come alongside to offer the kind of comfort that supports and strengthens? The sad reality of life is that there is ALWAYS suffering. You won't have to look hard to find someone who needs God’s comfort in their lives. 

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I don’t know who God will put in your path, but I do know that we are part of His story of redemption and restoration. Don’t waste that. Choose to be part of what God is doing around you, and lean into others as you proclaim the Good News that Jesus changes everything.