God Comforts Us in Tribulation

2 Corinthians 1:4; 11-12

1. How were Paul and Timothy able to avoid despair despite being troubled, perplexed, persecuted and cast down?

The Lord comforts us during our times of tribulation, so that we may be able to comfort others during their times of tribulation also. When we comfort others during their times of tribulation, we too are comforted. All things that happen to us are for our sakes and for this cause we shall not faint, though our outward many may perish, our souls are renewed day by day.

2. How can the teachings in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 help during our own tribulations?

(See also D+C 121:7-8).

Our affliction is only for a moment but worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

We should look at the things which are not seen rather than the things which are seen. For the things that are seen are temporal and the things which are not seen are eternal.

3. Similarities between the life of Paul and the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith:

Paul had spiritual weakness of which he was constantly troubled, as well as some physical weakness such as malaria, serious beatings, epilepsy and a serious eye infection. Paul referred to himself as “having been given a thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). This meant that Paul was constantly troubled about his spiritual well-being. Joseph Smith also suffered physical pain from persecution and also, at times, worried about his spiritual wellbeing. Joseph Smith said, “I feel, like Paul, to glory in my tribulation”. Despite all their hardships, Paul and Joseph Smith believed that the Lord would help them prevail and triumph over all their enemies and they did.

4. What role does grace play in helping us to overcome our tribulations?

The grace of the Lord can make our strength perfect during times of weakness. Through the power of the Lord, we can be exalted during times of trial and tribulation. The Lord shows us our weaknesses, that we may know that it is by His grace that we have the power to overcome our weaknesses and trials. The Lord gives us trials so that he is able to show us our weaknesses. The Lord gives us weakness so that we may learn to be humble. The Lords grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before the Lord and if we humble ourselves before the Lord and have faith, then the Lord will make weak things become strong before Him.

5. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

How did the Lord answer Paul’s prayer?

The Lord answered Paul’s prayer during his time of tribulation by comforting him. The Lord reassured Paul that His grace was with Paul and that during Paul’s trials, he will be perfected and made strong. Paul said that he will now start to take pleasure in his infirmities and persecutions because he knows that the Lord will make him strong enough to bare them. We should all be like Paul and bare our trials and tribulations as something that will benefit us in the long run, instead of begrudging them. As in Mosiah, the voice of the Lord came to the people of Alma during their times of affliction saying, “lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage”. The Lord promises us that if we keep the covenants that we have made with Him, the He will make our burdens light, that we won’t even be able to feel them upon our backs. The Lord does this so that we can stand as a witness of Him, that he does visit and comfort His children during their afflictions. The people of Alma did submit cheerfully to their afflictions and did carry them with patience. We learn, by example, from Paul and the people of Alma how to endure our trials well.