Dear friend, as it says in II Corinthians 1:5, Paul said, "Just as Christ's sufferings are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ." It is more than enough to endure. 

My daughter, Sweety, sang this song beautifully with the lyrics, "I am trading my sorrow, I am trading my shame, I am laying them down for the joy of the Lord. Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord." You may have gone through so much suffering, but joy is coming, dear friend. Jesus says in John 16:33, "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world." In Acts 14:22, the Bible says, "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God." Paul also said in Galatians 6:17, "I bear on my body the marks of Jesus Christ." Paul was a man well acquainted with suffering. He even suffered while ministering. He went through shipwrecks, beatings, stonings, hunger, thirst, sleeplessness and much more. He went through all of this for the sake of Christ. But the good news is, he was also comforted in an abundant measure.    

There is a reward for every suffering we go through. In Acts 19:11-12, the Bible says that the Lord did extraordinary miracles through the hands of Paul. Even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured, and the evil spirits left them. Whenever Paul laid his hand on the people and prayed, they were baptised by the Holy Spirit. He could comfort many by healing their sickness. Normally, God does not comfort us to make us comfortable. God does not comfort us just to comfort us. God doesn't comfort us to make us feel comfortable. But through the comfort He gives us, God helps us to comfort others. Of course, God makes us comfortable, but then He gives us the comfort to comfort others. 

When my dad and mom passed away, I was devastated. Even though I was newly married at the time, I could not find comfort through my husband. There was so much sorrow. Then, one day, my husband knelt down before me, laid his hand upon me, and prayed. Through him, the Lord said, "Evangeline, don't cry thinking about your parents. You have lost your parents. From now on, you will be a mother to many. Through your love, many will be comforted. I am going to comfort you in such a way." After hearing this, I obeyed the word of God, got up, and started to live for the Lord. Will you also get up and start living for the Lord, dear friend? Will you share your testimony with others? There are people in your sphere of influence who need to hear your story. God will bring people to you. Don't say, 'How am I going to go out and minister?' The only thing you need to do is to get up and go. May the comfort of the Lord come upon you in abundant measure. For all the days and years you suffered, the Lord will make you glad in a multiple measure. He is a God of restoration, a God of Job, a God of Apostle Paul. He will comfort you, dear friend.

PRAYER: 

Dear Father, thank You for Your loving promise to comfort me. You have always been with me through all my ups and downs and have been my source of strength and hope. In You, I put my trust, for You will never leave my side. You were with Job, carried him through all his sufferings, and restored everything he lost in double measure. Likewise, Lord, I pray that You will have mercy on me and restore everything that I have lost in life in double measure. For all the days and years I have seen failures and suffering, please make me glad in multiple measure. Comfort me so that I can be of comfort to others and make them experience Your unfailing love. Thank You, Lord, for showing me mercy and comforting me. You will restore everything in my life and make me a living testimony. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.