SOUL AWAKENED TO COMFORT
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 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. 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. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (NLT)
When you think of being comfortable, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s being in your favorite sweater, or curled up in your spot on the couch with a good book, or just a cup of coffee in front of the fire on a wintery day. All those sound great, but none can compare with the comfort that we find in our Father. According to Paul, He is the source of all comfort.
When everything goes our way, praising God and acknowledging His hand at work is easy. But when it seems like everything, and everyone is against us, are we equally prepared to come to the Father? Do we look to Him to be our source of comfort in the middle of the storms of life? Unfortunately, it seems like we’re more prone to take comfort in our devices, friends or what we can do for ourselves. Those things are temporary, but our Father in Heaven is eternal. We should always look to Him first and foremost for comfort.
And this comfort that He provides isn’t just for us—it’s to be passed on. We’re comforted to be comforters. We’re blessed to be a blessing. We’re loved to go and love. There are people in your life who are suffering. You may be aware of some of what they’re going through, but the reality is people are like icebergs: most of who they are and what they’re dealing with is beneath the surface. And the people in your life with the brightest smiles and the biggest laughs might be wrestling through the darkest times. Who might God be calling you to comfort?
APPLICATION: The Holy Spirit is with us. Whatever you’re going through, stop right now and ask God to comfort you through His Spirit. Then ask that the Spirit might lead you to others that you can point to Him.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for the comfort that comes from knowing You. Help me draw my peace and assurance from You, not from the things of this world. Help me to comfort, bless, and love others as You have done for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?