Pay it Forward - Receiving and Giving 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 will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2Corinthians 1:3-4

God is the God of all comfort, but God often chooses to use those who have been comforted, to comfort others.

God expects us to “comfort those who are in any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” The comfort God extends to us is designed to be shared with others.  John Henry Jowett, who lived almost 200 years ago, said, God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters.

God gives us comfort when we need Him the most.  He does not desert us in our time of need!
Hebrews 13:5 says, “‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord
is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’”

It is so easy to get tunnel-vision and see only what is around us and what affects our lives—if things are going well for us then everything is OK.  If our world is crumbling, the whole world is cumbling. Yet, as the people of God, we need to have our eyes trained on others around us and those who are in the world...so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

This verse shows us the means through which God brings us comfort.  Look at the word “We” in this verse.  “We” are the people who bring God’s comfort.  The phrase “So that we can comfort” points to the means God uses to provide encouragement to people.  The way he often brings comfort is through His people.  

Those comforts in suffering that we found helpful are those handholds that we share with other other sufferers.  This passage teaches us that our suffering, and the comfort we receive through our suffering, becomes the very strength with which we overcome.  Then we can help others learn to trust God to help them overcome. 

Are you trusting in the Lord, or are you trying to do it all in your own power?  God wants to fill you with power to overcome and persevere no matter what the circumstances.  He desires to carry you and comfort you.  He wishes the best for His children because He loves us so very much.  Trust Him to work through you.  Don’t go on believing you can handle it all on your own.  He is waiting to rescue you.  He is waiting for you to call on your “God of all comfort.” 2 Cor. 1:3

Receive the comfort of the Holy Spirit.  Accept His healing power and bask in the warmth of His loving touch then pass it on by helping others.  Every day, people around us are slammed with troubles and problems…many of them are looking for something or someone to help but they are looking in all of the wrong places.  Take your eyes off of yourself and see the needs of others.

Scripture to Claim:
…and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.  2Corinthians 1:7