Chad O on "Comforting Others"

Why should we comfort others if we are the ones needing comforting?

Take a minute to read II Corinthians 1:3-11

Here we are listening to the life-wisdom of Paul. On behalf of God the Father, Paul blesses his friends with grace and peace.

"PRAISE be to God...who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

Paul immediately turns attention to why God should be praised:
1. He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. He is the Father of compassion.
3. He is the God of all comfort.

God comforts us how? ...in ALL of our troubles.

Why? ...so that...we can comfort those in trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received... From whom? ...from God! Direct comfort from God to us! Personally!

Even as suffering flows into our lives, whether it be the same perils as Paul testifies about in verses 5-8, or possibly the suffering that comes from watching our child suffer, or even our own personal traumas, so too, our comfort overflows. It all happens for a reason. Why? Our answer is found in verse 9: "so that we would not rely on ourselves but on God."

What troubles do you have today? Who has recently shown you comfort? Detail why they comforted you________________________.

Close your eyes right now, no matter what is going on around you. Thank the Lord for the above mentioned person/people. In spite of their own circumstances, they took time to comfort you with the same comfort they received from God. That should mean something to you.