2nd Corinthians 1-4

In 2ND Corinthians 1 Paul greets them and starts with God's comfort and compassion. God allows us to experience similar trials and sufferings so that we may be of comfort and encouragement to those experiencing trials. These hardships happen that we may rely on totally God for everything who has power over life and death. When we set our hope on Him the outcome will be more than we could do - it's God's power at work. We are to lift each other up in prayers - that's the help that will provide God's help in their trials. It may not make sense to us, but God wants to meet their needs and will speak to us and them as we pray.

In chapters 2and 3 we see the intent of discipline is restoration. We are to forgive and restore those who have fallen away from the walk God has shown them. We are to forgive and comfort so they will not be overwhelmed with excessive sorrow. With obedience even through church discipline comes forgiveness. That's a vital part of the new covenant. As God disciplines us and forgives us, we are to forgive in the spirit of the new covenant to keep Satan from having any victories in anything. When we turn to Christ the veil is taken away and we are given understanding. We are being transformed into His image. This is a continuous process as we remain in Him.

Here are some verses of encouragement in chapter 4. 4:8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body... 16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (NIV) So let's keep our eyes on the prize and not get overwhelmed in the heat of the battle or ministry Christ has placed you in.