The God of All Comfort

Today's Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:1-7

I love Paul's writings. More specifically I love the way he writes. When he really wants you to get something, he just repeats it over and over again. A real help for those of us who might be a tad more hard-headed than others.

I am not naming names...I'm just saying.

That's exactly what Paul does here in 2 Corinthians. He starts by praising God who is "the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort." Who do you want to run to when times are tough or you feel alone or afraid? Running to the Father of compassion and the God of comfort might be the best place to start.

What is most striking to me about this passage though is Paul's reason for our own suffering. Let's face it, we've all had times where we just couldn't figure out why in the world a certain thing was happening in our lives. Or maybe it was a series of things. You know the kind of week I'm talking about. The week where you just barely move past what seems like a serious blow...to your health, your finances, your family, or your friends...and before you catch your breath, here comes another one.

And then maybe there is even another one...and another one bites the dust.

Don't you ask yourself at those times, what is the purpose behind all this? I know I do. Why...and where...and how...and is God working?

We may not get to know all those answers but Paul assures us of one thing. As we turn to God in our times of trouble, He will comfort us "so that, we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." Praise God that He has a purpose in all things that touch our lives. And even if we don't know the reason why today, we can know that our compassion for others can grow from our own sufferings. And that God can use our sufferings and the comforts we have received to comfort others.

Look around you today. There are many people who need God's comfort and just don't know where to find it. Will you share the comfort you have received from the Father of compassion with those you meet?

- Holly Barrett