A little comfort food for thought today!
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:8–9 about the trouble he went through in Asia, “We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.”
The Apostle Paul had experienced his share of suffering and this time he didn’t expect to make it, in fact, he was sure he was going to die. So what did he do? He stopped relying on himself and started depending on God! The One who could raise the dead!
The beginning of the chapter is even better. “…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. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you.” 2 Corinthians 1: 3,4 NLT.
Whatever you are going through, it is comforting for you to help someone else.
Not only does it take your mind off of your own troubles, but it actually brings healing to your mind, soul and spirit by ministering to the needs of others.
Jesus said, “If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving — large or small — it will be used to measure what is given back to you.” Luke 6:38 NLT.
The next time you are experiencing pain and needing His comfort, just remember it, mark it down…there will come a time that someone dear to you, or maybe even a stranger, will go through that very same thing and will need a comforter.
He might just send the Comforter that dwells in YOU to lift someone up, encourage them and help them out of their pit of despair! “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26.
So pull up that comforter and snuggle up real tight, but don’t get too comfortable…God wants you to return the favor!
Sharing with Unforced Rhythms, Titus 2sdays, Titus 2 Tuesday, Women Helping Women, Let Me Tell U a Story, Testimony Tuesday, Wake Up Wednesday, Winsome Wednesday, Wedded Wednesday
What an important and beautiful message. Thank you for sharing this at Unforced Rhythms.
What a wise and thought-provoking post, Nannette! That passage from 2 Corinthians is one of my favorites too. And though I’ve often comforted myself with the reality that my pain and God’s comfort is not just for me, but to share, I’ve not really thought of making this a rule of thumb to encourage others with. I know! Duh, Beth! But sometimes God uses the insights of others to open our minds to layers of truth that elude us. Oh, and I loved the way you worded this – “So pull up that comforter and snuggle up real tight, but don’t get too comfortable…God wants you to return the favor!” Just perfect!
Comfort food indeed! Awesome reminder!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful post with us here at “Tell Me a Story.” At: http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/
Stopping by from Testimony Tuesday. Beautiful post! “God does not comfort us to make us comfortable but to make us comforters!” Love that! Thank you for your words today. Much needed in my world!
This has been so true for me, especially in the last couple of weeks. As I’ve opened up about my struggle and current journey, others have opened up to me. I’ve had the opportunity to comfort and encourage. What a great blessing that is! Thanks for linking up to Testimony Tuesday, dear one!
I love that statement: God comforts us to make us COMFORTERS! Excellent statement!
Thank you so much! ♥
Praying for you tonight as you continue to step out in faith during this new season of ministry and as you lean into Him each day and wait for your healing. Hugs
Thank you Lyli, I felt the same way on yours so I signed up for everything you had!! I am new to the blogging world, we were missionaries in Latvia and had to come home because of my health. The Lord spoke to me back in February about a blog, which was totally out of my comfort zone, I was not a writer, but He kept dealing with me that this was the direction of my ministry for now, so here I am. I am blessed to follow leaders like you!
I am so thankful for my Jehovah Rapha. I have definitely experienced His healing over the last year, so this post and the whole theme of your blog deeply resonate with me.
Blessings 😉
Without Him we are lost!! Amen! Thank you for stopping by!! Always love to hear from you…
Thank you. This is a wise post. Love it. Let us stop relying on ourself and started depending on God!