Each Friday my writing stems from a word prompt. Five minutes, one word prompt. The prompt this week is … Comfort.
The sight of the word conjures up imagines of comfort food, comfy clothes, and an overall encompassing feeling of satisfaction or relief. After all, if I may be honest, most days I just want to be comfortable.
And then His Word comes to mind:
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NLT)
This comfort is not just a feel good, overall relaxing sort of feeling. God’s comfort does not just dull the pain. No, it fills our soul so that we are strengthened in our hearts, mind, and soul.
His comfort:
- strengthens our knees when they feel like they may buckle under us.
- lifts our spirits with a resolve that will not permit us to give up but press forward.
- fills us with assurance that no matter what we see, He is in it and with us.
God’s comfort is not meant for our ease. We cannot hoard it, keeping it to ourselves. His comfort will overflow in our lives to be shared with those also going through troubles. His comfort in our lives will cause us to be an encouragement to others, pouring out that very same comfort in their lives.
God gives an abundance of comfort so that it cannot be contained. As we share His comfort with those around us, they in turn, will share His comfort with us.
I once read or heard this statement (forgive me as I do not remember the source):
“God does not comfort us to make us comfortable,
but to make us comforters.”
May that be each of us today – Recipients of God’s comfort so that we can be God’s comforters.
Today I am joining … Five Minute Friday and Faith On Fire and Faith Filled Friday and Faith ‘N Friends and Fresh Market Friday .
Joanne, I want to start a 2 Corinthians 1.3-4 movement. Or a book. Or, something. I LOVE THAT SCRIPTURE.
Susan, to be quite honest with you …. my commentary is opened on my desk as I had to delve further into these verses. xo
I love that quote. Great post! I’m in the 54 spot this week.
Glad you stopped here!
Amen! Thank you for your wise words! … Rachel (from #fmfparty) Blessings on your writing!
Joanne, my thought here is that comfort is kinda like love. Can’t be hoarded, and to be worth anything to us we have to pass it on.
Great post!
#1 at FMF this week.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2017/07/your-dying-spouse-336-gods-lighthouse.html
Andrew, that is so wise. In order for most things to be worth anything to us, we have to let go and give it away. And the joy we receive in return is priceless. Blessings!
You’ve nailed, Joanne! It’s so easy to fall into the prosperity gospel and think that we deserve comfort. Nope. Jesus promised that we’d have trials (but he also promised to help us through them).
Joanne, thank you for this timely post today! I love the reciprocal aspect.