COMFORT

I read the following this morning, “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. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer” (2 Corinthians 1:4-7 NLT).

At first blush, that doesn’t seem fair. It seems that when we are in need, when we are facing crisis, the world should just stop what it is doing and think about us. But the reality is that when you are hurting, if you will reach out to someone else who is in pain, you will be replenished and helped.

Jesus said, “If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving–large or small–it will be used to measure what is given back to you” (Luke 6:38 NLT).

I’m sure you know of someone who is in pain right now. Perhaps they have cancer, or have recently lost a loved one, or their marriage has unraveled, or they have lost their job. Go to them and seek to be a friend and encourage them today.

God is in control of your life, and He allows trials to come our way in order to strengthen us spiritually and make us more like Jesus.

Whatever you are facing, know that someone else is facing it too. Perhaps you could share with them some of the things the Lord has shared with you, and “be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

Sunday at Gatetree

This Sunday I will share a message iWorship from my message series "iTruths for an iPod Generation." If you're in the Danville area, I encourage you to drop by for our 10:45 morning service. Need a map? Try clicking onto our webpage for helpful directions.