May 4 | 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Elaine Pierce
May 4, 2025
3 min read

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

Fruit Grows in the Valleys

By Elaine Pierce

"Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys." Billy Graham

Jesus promises us that we will see hardship in this life:

These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33

And in today's passage, Paul shares his personal struggles:

We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life (8)

We felt the sentence of death (v. 9).

Paul was imprisoned for his faith and eventually, he was put to death because he was a Christian. And yet in the midst of great pain and struggle, his focus was on the Lord, "the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God (v. 4).

Where do we find God's comfort when a loved one is in pain? When a child is suffering? When we see someone treated unfairly? When evil seems to be winning? How do we respond to adversity? Do we rant and rave against injustice? Do we plot our revenge? Do we throw up our hands and say, God, why aren't you giving me what I want?

Yes, sometimes we do. It is hard to be patient and trust in the Lord. In fact, it is impossible to do so on our own. It's only through the Holy Spirit that we find true rest and compassion. And the Holy Spirit often works through the Body of Christ. Paul tells the members of the Corinthian church that his hope for them is "just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort (v. 7). And he reminds them that "on Him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers (v. 10)."

If you are going through a hard time, know that God is with you in the midst of it. As you turn your focus from the pain and struggle, you will find rest for your soul. That rest may come from a believing friend who will help bear your burden. It may come from time spent at the feet of the Father. He will give you what you need, even if at times it seems too much to bear. As Billy Graham said, it is in the valleys that the fruit grows.

PRAYER

Lord, I want to bear fruit, the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Yet so often I spend my time in worry, fear and grief. Help me to remember each and every day that my comfort, my joy, my peace, comes only from you. Fill me with your Holy Spirit, Amen.

Find additional "Dying to Live" study materials designed for small groups or individual use here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELAINE PIERCE

It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!

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