John 14:26 (KJV) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
When I think about the role of the Holy Spirit, I think about this verse in the book of John. The King James is translated as comforter, and others translate the Greek word to helper.
According to the American Webster Dictionary of 1828, the term, Comforter, is defined as such:
COMFORTER, noun
1. One who administers comfort or consolation; one who strengthens and supports the mind in distress or danger.
I looked for comforters but found none. Psalms 69:20.
Miserable comforters are ye all. Job 16:2.
2. The title of the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name–he shall teach you all things. John 14:16.
Notice what comfort is not; it is not the removal of distress or danger but the consolation of one who is going through the storm so to speak. We have this Western idea that God is supposed to remove all our pain and suffering because that is part of His job as our bellhop or servant. In many other parts of the world, the body of Christ is not culturally conditioned.
Another thing that we see is that for us to experience comfort, there must be a Comforter, and in Scripture, it is the Holy Spirit. He can help those suffering for the right causes. The Apostle Paul was clear on when we suffer persecution to ensure we are not suffering because of our lawlessness or rebellion. If we seek God’s kingdom first, comfort will come through His grace and the Holy Spirit when times get hard.
Regarding healing, yes, Jesus is our healer and can remove all suffering and pain. Yes, we always go for that, but in the context of living in this sin-cursed fallen world with people running around with their free will to do evil to others, we have to trust God, who gives the Comforter!
To know the difference between suffering for Christ’s sake and suffering because of sin or curses in this world takes wisdom. Paul suffered for Christ to give up his life for the glorious cause of spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles. How many of us would quit after the first beating or shipwreck? When things get too uncomfortable, many of us tend to pull away to again seek the wrong kind of comfort (self-comfort) instead of giving away comfort to others as the Holy Spirit does. Dying to self is a theme in the Word, and we will find comfort in suffering if, being compelled by love, we get uncomfortable with winning another soul for Jesus. Then, even in prison, we would be comforted by the Holy Spirit, singing praises to our Lord. Heaven looks for such believers!
Lastly, there is teaching in suffering. I know it’s not a popular message today, but we find it all over the Bible. Joseph, through it all, even laying down his dream on the altar, had to suffer and pass test after test in serving others well, which brought him a promotion.
I am reminded of an Iranian Pastor’s story about a time he was swimming off the coast at a Christian retreat. Suddenly, the tide drifted him out, and he was sucked underwater and could not swim back up! In his panic, he cried out to God for help. He then felt some hands lift him up to the surface, but no one was there when he looked around. Some lifeguards then saw his head above water and rescued him. God answered his prayer and sent an angel.
Suffering is guaranteed in this world, but the promised Holy Spirit is the Comforter who can walk us through whatever we face. Comfort and transformation from glory to glory into the image of Christ, the Holy Spirit lifts up Jesus through and in us. Father God, let all who read this be filled with your Holy Spirit!
By Parker Wagnon 5/31/2023
Dove and Lion Ministries 
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