II Corinthians 1:4 "so that we can comfort"

Why do we endure troubles and trials? No simple answer will satisfy the question that has echoed since the days of Job (beware of those peddling simple answers), but in II Corinthians 1:3-7 Paul offers us one reason why we may endure such difficulties. The answer is that we learn to comfort others when we ourselves receive comfort from God. Because God is merciful, we can learn to show mercy, because God is forgiving, we can learn to forgive, and because God comforts those in need, we too can learn to be comforters in the imitation of our Father. It's not a complete answer, it isn't supposed to be, but perhaps the next time you stare into the heavens and ask, "Why me Lord?", it'll be a bit of comfort for you to know that you may be learning to be a more useful child of God.