Toward the beginning of Parashat Toledot, we read of the difficulties Rivka endured during her pregnancy, in response to which she went “to seek out the Lord” (“li-drosh et Hashem” – 25:22). Rashi explains this to mean that she consulted with Shem, a prophet at the time, who told her that she had conceived twins, who will produce two large nations. The Torah does not record any further measures taken by Rivka, indicating that she was satisfied with and consoled by the prophetic message she had received.
The question, of course, arises as to why the prophet’s response satisfied Rivka and provided comfort despite the ongoing suffering she endured during the pregnancy.
One simple explanation, as suggested by Rashi, is that Rivka did not seek comfort or an easing of the pain. Rather, she simply wanted to know what the outcome of the pregnancy would be. She was concerned not about the pain itself, but rather that they may indicate a serious complication that endangered the fetus. The prophet reassured her that the pregnancy would be successful, and that she would in fact deliver healthy twin boys who would produce two powerful nations.
Another possibility (suggested by Rav Shlomo Tzadok in his Shulchan Shelomo) is that Rivka indeed sought some kind of emotional comfort to help her cope with her pain. The comfort came in the form of a prophetic vision of the long-term outcome of her pregnancy – she was shown that the difficult pregnancy she endured would produce two large nations. Rashi (25:23) cites the Gemara (Avoda Zara 11a) as explaining that Rivka was shown the wealth and prominence that would be achieved by a descendant of Esav (Antoninus) and of Yaakov (Rabbi Yehuda Ha-nasi). Meaning, God informed Rivka that the hardships she currently endured would result in the emergence of great nations that were destined for fame and that would shape the history of the world. Rivka was comforted by the knowledge of the resoundingly successful outcome of her difficult pregnancy, that her suffering would ultimately be rewarded.
In the absence of prophecy, we are not given any guarantees of the success of our hard work, toil and efforts. Nevertheless, during difficult periods we could perhaps receive encouragement by contemplating the long-term results of our efforts, by trying to view in our minds the successful outcome to which we strive.