Day 28: That we would comfort as we have been comforted
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. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3-7 ESV)
Maybe I’m alone in this, but I’ve felt way over my head at every stage in my life. I had not idea what I was doing when I went off to college. Same with marriage. Same with children. Same with being a youth pastor. Same with being a pastor. And when difficult times, filled with suffering or persecution hits, I fill as if I’m in way over my head. But every single time the Lord has seen me through. He has provided comfort when I needed comfort. On occasion one of the means he will use to comfort will be dear saints who have traveled the same road I’m now upon. They were comforted by the Lord as well and so they are equipped to comfort me in my present affliction. Likewise, I’m finding that the areas of great pain in my life are now some of the greatest places for ministry. Don’t waste your sorrow, but use it for the glory of God.
Father, you are the God of all comfort. When we are afflicted you are always there to comfort us in ways which we do not have words for. Help us, Lord, to not check out and live individual lives where we waste our sorrows. Use us to comfort those who are at present hurting. You’ve done so much on our behalf may we always be looking at those who are traveling along this same narrow road—and encourage them that through your strength and your comfort we’re going to make it.
