The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Corinthians 1:3-7, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer;

7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.”

Sometimes we face burdens we simply cannot bear. Often they are not burdens caused by our sin or waywardness; sometimes they are burdens the LORD allows to bring out the strength He has placed within us – strength that when conquered will accrue to our benefit.

I learned this principle as a small boy. Some things I wanted to do, my mother disallowed. I didn’t understand; actually, I didn’t want to understand; I just wanted my way! What I ultimately learned, as I grew older, was that my mother had my best interest at heart and what she had disallowed ultimately proved to be to my benefit. Why didn’t I see that?

Even as adults, we Christians encounter situations we don’t completely understand. We seek answers—even comfort, yet often without success. “Why is this happening?” we ask. Perhaps the LORD is utilizing these “road bumps” to draw us closer to Him. It is simply not possible for us to foresee the future! Curves in the road hinder our seeing what lies beyond. Yet, we declare to others that He is more than competent to deal with their problems. Now He wants us to know He can deal competently with ours! We simply must keep the faith! Nothing is impossible with God!

“By and by when the morning comes;

All the saints of God are gathered Home;

We will tell the story how we’ve overcome;

We will understand it better by and by.”

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

We will never know that Christ is all we need,

Until He becomes all that we have. – Corrie ten Boom