Grace Notes – Gracious Comfort
“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.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV
Grace Perspective:
Comfort, quiet strength that comes a just the right moment to soothe and calm. God, in His infinite mercy, knows that each of us needs comforting. We all experience affliction, trouble, grief, pain, and perhaps despair. However, we don’t have to be alone through difficult times.
Jesus promised to send us the Holy Spirit (John 15:26), who is the Comforter. If we are in Christ Jesus, we have within us a Source of comfort that will never leave or forsake us. Also, we find comfort in the truth found in the Bible. Scripture reminds us that calm strength is found in Him. (Psalm 23:4, Psalm 119:50, 119:76, Jeremiah 31:13)
God also provides comfort through others who have experienced similar hardships. Friends, who come with compassionate understanding, willing to walk beside us, are a gift from God. A gift we need to receive. Too often, pride rises up in our hearts trying to convince us we can’t be vulnerable, can’t share our pain or weaknesses with others. That is a ploy of Satan to keep us from receiving the comfort God mercifully supplies. It is God who brings others who have experienced similar afflictions to listen and speak the truth we need to hear. When we are hurting, we need others to speak godly wisdom to guide us through the season of affliction. Often we need someone to simply remind us that this is not our home and help us refocus our hearts on the glory to come.
A Touch of Grace:
Where do you turn for comfort?
How do you comfort others?
Grace Application:
What do you find comforting? I find comfort in several places. Sitting with a warm cup of tea, snuggled up with my pups, reading the Bible brings comfort every morning before the busy day begins. Spending time with loved ones, doing life with them, is comforting in the sweetness of companionship. But what happens when those things are removed. And there have been times they have been rudely taken for a while.
Too often, I turn to worldly things for comfort. Food, escape through reading, watching too much TV…the list goes on. And pride rears it’s ugly head and says, “no one will care, no one understands, no one loves you,….blah, blah, blah.” Ugh, I hate my prideful heart.
Why? Because it keeps me from experiencing comfort from God. Thankfully, God is graciously patient and reminds me that I’m not alone, He cares, understands, and loves me. And He has given me precious family and friends who are a moment away through a call, a text, a visit over a cup of tea, a hug. I have friends who have walked through fiery trials, profound grief, sickness, hardship, loss, and painful seasons, who truly understand where I am.
In turn, I pray that I am a comfort to others who need quiet strength and encouragement when they are hurting. Family and friends who know they can be vulnerable, that if words of wisdom are required, we will go to Father of mercies and find comfort that will enable us to continue here until He calls us home.
Prayer:
Gracious Father, You are merciful and the God of all comforts. Thank You for not leaving us alone in this world where there are afflictions and sorrows. Forgive me when I allow pride to block the comfort You bring. Forgive me for turning to (_____________________) instead of seeking comfort in You. Help me receive the comfort You offer and be strengthened through it to comfort others. Lord, give me a heart that seeks to comfort others with the same comfort You give me. In the precious name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Amen.
**Today, as you read this, I pray each of you will know for certain you are in Christ Jesus. If you have any doubt, please call out to God so all doubt may be erased. Today is a good day to be assured of salvation in Christ Jesus. If you have any questions, please contact me at graceisdawning@gmail.com**