<p>1:5- see on Acts 9:16.</p><p><i>For as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, even so our comfort is also in abundance through Christ- </i>Our trials are specially designed so that we <i>may</i> give comfort to others who suffer in essence the same experiences- and this is how &ldquo;our comfort aboundeth through Christ&rdquo; (2 Cor. 1:4,5 RV). He is the comforter insofar as His brethren minister that comfort which He potentially enables them to minister. As we partake in the Lord&rsquo;s sufferings, so we partake of the comfort which is in Him- but which is ministered through the loving care of those in Him (2 Cor. 1:7). This is why any attitude of insularity is totally impossible for the true brother or sister in Christ. Behind every human face, there is a tragedy behind the brave fa&ccedil;ade which is put up. Almost everybody has been bruised by life, and is feeling the pressure of temptation or defeat, depression, loneliness or despair. It&rsquo;s true that some need to be disturbed from their complacency, but the vast majority need above all else to be given by us <i>the comfort of God&rsquo;s love</i>. People, all people (not just our brethren) are desperate for real comfort and compassion. And it is up to us to mediate it to them.</p>