Living Free - February 19, 2018

"God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." - (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT)

Thoughts for Today

God comforts us in our troubles so we can comfort others. 

In this life, we cannot always find the answer to the question "Why?" Why is God allowing this pain in my life? Why did he let this happen in my family?

Those kinds of "why" questions are difficult to answer, but in today's scripture we learn part of the answer. God sometimes allows us go through the tough times and experience his comfort so we will be able to comfort others.

We live in a world full of hurting people. God's comfort toward us makes it possible for us to reach out to them. Our own suffering gives us the "credentials" to be heard by those who are suffering. We can do more than just commiserate with their troubles - we can share the truth of God's comfort from our own experience.

Consider this …

The idea of experiencing God's comfort and then sharing it with others is really at the heart of what God wants to accomplish in our life. First, however, we must open our hearts to God's comfort in our own life. That is part of the process of building into our life the strength we need to deal with painful circumstances. Out of that comfort and strength, we can reach out to the people we care about.

 As you allow God to comfort you and to give you peace and hope, you will experience healing spiritually and emotionally - and even physically. Then you will be ready to stand beside your loved one and, with God's guidance, begin moving forward. 

Prayer

Father, it does help to know at least part of the "why." I do believe you bring good from everything if I will trust and follow you. I am reaching out for your comfort and healing. And then someday, in your timing, help me reach out to my loved one and others with that same comfort. In Jesus' name . . .

These thoughts were drawn from …Close—But Not Too Close by Dr. Jimmy Ray Lee. A complement to the Concerned Persons small group study, this booklet is written primarily for those who want to help someone close to them who is enslaved by the stronghold of a life-controlling issue. It is also designed to help someone who is suffering the consequences of a loved one's problem.