Comfort!

August 17, 2023

Comfort!

Pain seems to define and refine life and love.  We experience pain in a variety of ways; some expected and some unexpected! 

Sometimes pain is the consequence of my choices.  There are other times when pain is the consequence of another’s choice. 

Sometimes pain is for a short while.  There are other times when pain seems to extend for months and years and what seems like a life-time.   

Sometimes pain is something I can handle on my own.  There are other times when I need all my family, all my friends, all the professionals, and all the power of Jesus to find help and healing.   

Living and loving involves moments and even seasons of pain. 

Think about your own pain. 

You get hurt when another person fails to say something when it would have made a difference. 

You get hurt when another person does not follow through on doing something they promised. 

You get hurt when your expectation does not align with the expectations of another person. 

You get hurt when you do not keep the commitment you made to Jesus. 

You get hurt when forgiveness is withheld by another person or by you.

Living and loving involves moments and even seasons of pain. 

Sometimes pain is something that happens to me.  I experience pain in my mind, my heart, my soul, and/or my body.  There are other times when the deepest pain I experience is the hurt I have caused in another person(s). 

When I cause pain in the life of someone else, relationships with people are injured (sometimes irreparably!), life often takes a difference direction, and my soul can be eaten up with regret, guilt, and shame.

Living and loving involves moments and even seasons of pain.     

When I hurt, I seek comfort to ease or erase my pain.  I want the pain gone or at least I want the pain to be much less than it is right now.  I seek help and healing and wholeness. 

During the most painful seasons of my life, I have discovered that comfort almost always flows through the heart of another person.  I am reminded of something the Apostle Paul wrote in the first century to the Christ-followers at the church in Corinth.

In II Corinthians 1:4 Paul writes that Jesus “…consoles (i.e., comforts) us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God.” 

Consider substituting the word “comfort” for the word “console.”  The verse reads; “Jesus…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.”

Living and loving involves moments and even seasons of pain.     

Because you know pain now or you have known pain in the past, you know the importance of receiving comfort from Jesus through another person. 

Someone sends a card with a word of hope.

Someone keeps dropping by to visit when everyone else is back to their routines.

Someone mows your lawn when you are not able. 

Someone offers to go with you to church for the first time.

Someone cares about your pain without sharing a word of judgment. 

Someone drops by to offer a word of encouragement.

Someone offers to go with you to an Al-Anon meeting when you are at the end of your rope.

Someone shares a cup of coffee and really listens to what is going on in you. 

Someone comes near, lays their hand on your shoulder, and asks Jesus to heal your pain.

Little things can bring great comfort to those who are who are hurting or struggling.

Living and loving involves moments and even seasons of pain.     

In II Corinthians 1:5, Paul describes the comfort which we receive through Jesus.  He writes; “…our consolation is abundant through Christ.” 

There are times when Jesus will comfort us with the touch of His hand and the outpouring of His love.  There are other times when Jesus will comfort us through the words and actions and prayers of another person.

Jesus’ comfort will be abundant in you.  And yet, as important as God’s promise is today there is a second promise that may be even more important.  The second promise of God is for someone you know who is hurting in some way today. 

Living and loving involves moments and even seasons of pain.     

Someone is hurting today.  Remember the words of Paul to the church in Corinth.  Take a moment before this week is gone to be the abundant comfort of Christ for your friend or family member.  When you comfort another with the love of Jesus, delight will fill their heart and your heart, too. 

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug