For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

2 Corinthians 1:5

Those of us living within the loosely defined time frame known as “aging” often find a sense of community in shared aches and pains. This may be a kinship of mild discomforts or a fellowship marked by serious sorrow and suffering. Within these communities, God “comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction” (2 Corinthians 1:4a).

We share this comfort because we live within a larger community marked by the cross. Jesus shared our sorrows. He suffered and died for us, and through faith in Him, we receive forgiveness and eternal life. Through the trials, we endure, God is conforming us to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). We share sorrows, but we also know joy as together we grow daily to be more like Jesus!

Carol Geisler
Orange, CA

Jesus, lead me to share with others the comfort and hope that I have in You. Amen.

Reflect: When you visit those who are ill or hospitalized, share encouragement in Christ.

Read: Romans 8:28-30 and 2 Corinthians 1:3-7