Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:2-4 (NIV)
For Reflection:
Our God, strong and mighty, powerful and everlasting is our Father of compassion, God of all comfort. I allow this truth to settle into my heart and mind. How calming to read these words, to think of – receive and see Him in this light. To know that God looks at us in love, sees our struggles and pain, and moves toward us with compassion. His heart longs to bring wholeness and healing to our lives.
Reflect on a time when you experienced God’s comfort. What happened? Maybe you're needing His comfort right now. I recall a very difficult time in my life. “A breath at a time…” was my daily survival strategy. I recall a few people who barely knew me, yet welcomed me and prayed for and with me. They encouraged me time and again with God’s truth and promises, which brought surprising peace to my heart and mind – and somehow helped me breathe easier, even amid the hardest moments. Real comfort, even though the challenging circumstances remained. I was experiencing the peace, presence, and comfort of God through people who shared His promises and their hope in a way that bolstered and redirected mine. A gift.
His comfort in our lives becomes contagious. When neighbors experienced a sudden and tragic loss, I instinctively went to them, offering comfort through simple quiet presence, prayers, encouragement through His word, and serving in ways to help lighten their load as others had for me. They would later share how those small gestures humbly offered helped them experience God’s love in a new way. A gift of life in community. As we anchor our hope in Jesus, we are available to become conduits for His love and comfort, bringing hope, grace, comfort and peace to the people around us. Have you noticed these opportunities? Will we allow the comfort we have received to give us courage and confidence to comfort others? And to look to God for comfort in our times of need, trusting in our hearts that He looks upon us with compassion and comforts us in His presence.
Let us pray:
Gracious God, our comforter, strength, and hope. Thank you for your compassion, mercy and love. I remember specific ways you have comforted me, and I am so grateful. I think of people you have brought into my life who lovingly shared peace, strength and hope in you, which comforted me and helped me experience your love and presence. Thank you! Lord, would you help me remain open and attentive to opportunities you provide to share your peace and love with others you place in my path who need your comfort? If there is someone specific who is in need of comfort right now, would you bring that person to mind; and would you guide my words and actions. Help me to listen without judging or trying to fix; to share peace and offer to pray, without fear. Help me to remember that your love and comfort freely given are gifts that multiply when shared with others. Thank you for loving me, for wanting wholeness and peace in my heart and life. I praise you and love you. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.
I wonder whether I am truly open to receiving God's comfort?
I wonder if I have enough margin in my days and interactions to notice and respond when someone is in need of God's comfort?
I wonder what keeps me from entering into people's experiences to offer comfort?