If you have ever had to comfort someone who has just suffered the loss of a loved one, job, or valuable possession, you would agree that it can be a difficult task to carry out. In our bid to sympathize with them, we try to find the right words and even make an attempt to communicate the right body language for that moment. We want them to know that we feel their pain, and we hope that our words will soothe their pain and bring them temporary relief. But we soon find out that one cannot give what he does not have: until we learn to empathize rather than sympathize, we will not succeed in alleviating the pain. It takes someone who has suffered the same loss to understand their grief for the loss and can best comfort them.
Believers were not promised a life free from tribulation, but we are assured of victory in the face of our troubles. Tribulation can be in the form of persecution, affliction, or suffering, which can inflict pain either physical, emotional, or psychological. In the midst of this, God, through His Spirit, comforts us either by creating a way of escape or by giving us the strength to keep going. Believers who have been comforted, encouraged, and strengthened by God can also reproduce this comfort for others who are going through similar painful experiences. We are in the best position to be compassionate and show empathy to our brethren who are suffering so that as God has comforted us, they will also be relieved of their burdens.

Thank You, Lord, for Your numerous mercies, tender love, and care for me. Thank You for the structures You put in place to ensure I live the divine life in Christ. I am grateful because I am not alone, even during my hard times. I pray for strength to keep going in the face of adversity. Please let Your Spirit encourage and comfort me when I face tribulation or affliction. Help me be a source of succor for those who are hurting. Teach me to be compassionate and help them relieve their pain just as You have done for me. Make me a vessel that brings comfort to those who are grieving or afflicted. 
In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.