Share the Comfort You Receive

“ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Giving back, turning and strengthening others when we have come through the fire, is often one of the ways God redeems affliction for our good. If we’re currently in the fire, though, that may not be a comforting thought when we’re bleating for relief from our pain ourselves.

Seek him, don’t avoid him. He promised us he would comfort us. Allow him to give you a vision today of hope. Open your heart today by pouring out whatever is stressing, frustrating, angering or hurting you before his throne. Carve time out for Him, the way we’d like our busy loved ones to do for us. Take time to bless him. Let’s also take time to bless others with the comfort we have received. That’s what it’s for.

But if you want to comfort others, first receive comfort from God. Draw on your own hurts and afflictions and remember what comforted you before you open your mouth to attempt to encourage your brother or sister. If you simply cannot at all relate, if you’ve never been through anything remotely similar to their circumstances, shut your mouth, offer them a hug if they’ll let you, and cry with them.

Lord, forgive us for all our failings to comfort and seek comfort from you. We bring to you today, right now, whatever affliction burdens us. We ask you to comfort us, and we thank you for your promise, and for your faithfulness and power to save us and bring good out of evil. We bless you, but let us not only tell you. Let our actions today be a blessing to you and bring you glory.