Thought for Friday, March 30th

March 30, 2012

Comfort Gained – Is Comfort to Be Given

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Quote of the Day

“I do not want the peace which passeth understanding.  I want the understanding which bringeth peace.” – Helen Keller

Today’s Thoughts and Insights

Most, if not all, of us have times in our life when we are in need of being comforted.  Generally speaking: to be comforted: usually implies that a person sympathizes with, understands or identifies with what we are experiencing or going through.

As Christians we have someone who comforts us in all things – because He understands, identifies with and often sympathizes with our circumstances and situations.  Remember Jesus was tempted in every way – like we are and yet He overcome – event to the point of death.

I believe that many of the experiences we have in life: are often for the purpose of preparing and equipping us to be able to comfort, minister to and be there for others who will face similar things somewhere down the road.

It has been my experience when God has taken me through some difficulty or trial: He generally brings others into my life somewhere down the road that need comfort and understanding in a similar situation.  Basically God takes us through and equips us to – help others get through somewhere down the line.

It would seem that when it comes to comfort, understanding and compassion – God works on the principle that we should pay it forward.  In fact, many of God’s gifts are bestowed with the understanding that it should be our duty, obligation and even responsibility to pay it forward – like love, forgiveness, mercy, blessings, kindness, compassion, comfort and the list could go on and on.

God brings us into each other’s lives for a purpose, often beyond what we may comprehend or understand.  We just need to be sensitive, attentive and obedient and we will see that as God comforts us, helps us, blesses us and meets our needs, we will be able to do the same for others in our life.

Today’s Prayer

Father, I am often, if not almost always, amazed by you: your love and grace; your plans and purposes and the way you orchestrate so many things in our lives.  Thank you for caring enough to be so attentive and meticulous with me.  Help me to be equally attentive and meticulous in paying forward all that you so graciously and generously bestow on me.

“There are the moments of revelation which compensate for the chaos, the discomfort, the toil of living.”

– Virginia Wolfe

“Let the poor man say
I am rich in Him
Let the lost man say
I am found in Him
Let the blind man say
I can see again
Let the dead man say
I am born again 
Holy Spirit come
Move in power“

- from ‘Let The River Flow’ by Darrell Evans