II Corinthians 1:5 “And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.”
There seems to be a prevailing theme among many modern Christian teachers that those who energetically follow Christ will be healthy, wealthy, and free from distress. Well, there was no one more energetic in the Lord’s service than Paul was, yet he did not enjoy such a blissful life, and neither did the Church at Corinth. Paul plainly told them that “ye are partakers of the sufferings”; but, they were “also” “partakers” “of the consolation”. To be “partakers of the sufferings” means that we should expect to experience tribulations in our efforts to obediently follow Jesus Christ. But, we should also expect to be “partakers” “of the consolation”. We should “think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you” (I Peter 4:12); for, our Lord plainly declared, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)! Our Lord’s “consolation” lifts us up and makes us resilient and strong even while the storms of “tribulation” are raging around us; He gives us “peace” when there is no “peace”, He gives us joy when there is no joy, and He gives us hope when there is no hope. Our Lord kindly encourages us this way, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28); that is, “rest” when this troubled world is filled with “tribulation”! To “Come unto” our Lord is to prayerfully “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16) and go to and be a part of His Church-Refuge where He meets us for worship (Hebrews 10:25). Our Lord’s “consolation” and “rest” wonderfully overcomes any “sufferings” we may face in this present world!