His Comfort
Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:4
Have you ever wondered why? Why is this happening to me or why do things always go in a certain direction? What about wondering why things are the way they are in the world around you or why disasters and tragedies come, sometime one right after another?
Well, wonder no more. Today’s scripture is the answer to all the “why we go through things” questions. It says that we go through things so that we can experience the comfort and peace of God and then we can relate with and comfort others who are struggling and suffering. It actually says that we can comfort others with the very same comfort that we were comforted with. Wow, that would mean God gives us His peace and comfort for us to share with others. It makes sense though because He gave us comfort in the form of the Holy Spirit. That is the evidence that it is His will for us to not suffer, but to be comforted and consoled.
This passage goes on to say that ultimately, as we trust God through our troubles and tribulations, we are empowered to strengthen and encourage others, resulting in their salvation. Glory to God! If we learn to receive His comfort as we go through things, we can watch as He uses those problems to bring others to His great salvation.
So, I actually had an opportunity this week to see this process displayed. I have been through many hurts in my life which had resulted in me being very guarded and expectant of more hurt. In the past, I have been afraid to let others into my life because I didn’t want to be taken advantage of or hurt again. I didn’t realize that by keeping this wall up, I was actually empowering people to hurt me because I was expecting it. My responses to others were always defensive and repelling because I didn’t want anyone to get too close. The Lord comforted me where I was, and then He brought me out. He showed me that if I released all the pain of the past and receive His love in the place of the pain, I could go on to love others never worrying about them hurting me in return. Freely giving love to others brought such freedom. Now I don’t worry about being taken advantage of or hurt because my focus is no longer on me, it is on the person who needs to know the love of God. There have been some opportunities for me to be tempted to take a rejection or ulterior motive to heart and have hurt feelings. However, when I turn it to God, He quickly shows me that they are the ones loosing and I have lost nothing. I did all I could do to love and comfort them and when they are ready to receive that, the Holy Spirit will be the one to open their eyes to that love.
So when I could see my friend taking every word she heard to heart and letting them pierce her heart again, I told her how I was comforted when my heart was hurting. She knew that she was being defensive and that was holding her back from being free from those hurts. We prayed together and now she is able to be comforted with the same comfort that I was comforted with that resulted in my freedom.
Today I want to encourage you to be comforted. Whatever you are going through and whatever is stressing you, turn it over to God and receive His comfort and peace. Know that He will get you through way better than you could do along. Then go on and let Him lead you to someone that you can share that very same comfort with. Keep sharing it with all He brings your way and bring them into God’s family by giving them the comfort that you were comforted with when you were comforted.
Today’s scripture reading: 2 Corinthians 1:1-7
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
The Daily Dose 