What consolers are we ?

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who comforts us with all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in some affliction it is by the consolation of which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1: 3, 4

God delights in comforting each of his children who goes through pain, who knows the physical or moral pain ; God makes each of us test his mercies. What believer can say that he did not do wonderful experiences with God in times of trouble ? What believer can say that he has never experienced the divine consolations ? If God causes us to feel his consolation, it is so that, in our turn, we can manifest it to those we meet. Then the question arises : what consolers are we ?

Formerly, Job had lost all her children in a single day, then all her fortune (and she was very large), and finally her health : "a malignant ulcer from the soles of her feet to the top of her head" caused her Abominable physical pain (Job 2. 7). Hearing this, three of his friends come to him with consolations; "They come together to come and pity and comfort him" (Job 2:11). They consult each other but do not seek the thought of God. After seven days and seven nights of silent presence, "Job opened his mouth and cursed his day" (Job 3. 1). They will then overwhelm him with a thousand reproaches. It is customary to say, like Job, that these are "unhappy consolers" (Job 16. 2).

Paul mentions a certain Onesiphorus : "He often comforted me and was not ashamed of my chains ; but when he was in Rome he looked for me carefully and found me" (2 Tim.1: 16-17). This humble and discreet Christian has often brought consolation to the great apostle. He had made a perilous journey to Rome and had to search Paul diligently in this great unknown city. What joy was certainly that of the apostle when he saw the face of the faithful Onesiphorus !

So what consolers are we ? Similar to the friends of Job or Onesiphorus ?

Let us ask God to give us to be true comforters and to feel ourselves what Paul has said : "The Lord stood by me and strengthened me" (2 Tim 4:17).

Source (Pleasing the Lord)