II Corinthians 1:5 “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.”
Not that they suffered to the degree that “Christ” did, but Paul and those with him suffered greatly for the cause of “Christ” and His Church and People. But, Paul is not lamenting his sufferings, he is rejoicing; because, while they suffered for the cause of “Christ”, they were also given a blessed “consolation” by “Christ”. He declared that “our consolation also aboundeth by Christ”; that is, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18). As we live in this “present” world, we should not be surprised that we often encounter sufferings and trials; the Lord put it this way, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24). A “cross” signifies severe sufferings; thus, those who would “follow” “Christ” need to know that they should expect sufferings and trials. The Lord explained it this way, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33); that is, our merciful Lord has power over this “present” “world” and all it’s tribulations. So, yes, we often endure “sufferings”; but, our Lord Himself is our “consolation”; for, He fills our hearts and minds with blessed assurances and promises that one day we will be with Him. But, in this “present” “world”, He is also “a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall” (Isaiah 25:4)! Furthermore, He has given us a Church-Kingdom where we find “consolation”, love, peace, joy, and fellowship. As our “good shepherd” (John 10), when we are troubled, He reaches down with His Holy Spirit and gathers us into His tender, almighty arms and says to our troubled hearts, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” (Jeremiah 31:3) and “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalms 46:10)! This “consolation” greatly outweighs the “sufferings”! Thus, we joyfully sing, “O troubled heart, there is a home, Beyond the reach of toil and care, A home where changes never come; Who would not fain be resting there?” (W.H. Bellamy)!