Home  |  Previous  |  Next  |  lftd05

Sept.14.05: Light For The Day -- "Pass The Tissues"

-- 2 Corinthians 1:4
"God comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

-------------
One of the greatest promises of heaven is that these will no longer be any pain or suffering. To someone who is hurting today, however, that promise may offer little comfort. The immediacy of pain is not easily ignored or deferred (nor should it be). When someone hurts right now, right now is when that person needs comfort.

That's where you come in. In Paul's letter to the Corinthians, he made special reference to the value of God's comfort and how it ought to inspire people to comfort one another. Rather than give trite advice such as "be there for each other, "as so many people do today, Paul gave specific guidance, saying, "Comfort others just as God comforts you."

One of the only sure things you can count about the future is that God will comfort you. Knowing this brings a sense of peace even in difficult times. In a similar way, you can be there with comfort for someone who hurts. Sometimes just the knowledge that you're only a phone call away is enough o get a person through a tough time.

God also offers a listening ear to those who are in need through the vehicle of prayer. In a like manner, you can offer your willingness to listen to a hurting friend. Often one of the most important steps to overcoming a hurting person is talking about it. When you sit with a hurting person and listen, you provide comfort and help move along the all important process of grieving.

It's not uncommon for people to suffer needlessly or to allow suffering to go on too long. Sometimes God steers you in a new direction when you're stuck in a cycle of pain. There are times when you'll need to provide this same redirection for someone who is hurting. But if the person's pain is causing him or her to make dangerous choices, you may need to take bolder action and step in the way of a bad decision.

But whether you are simply available to a friend or are taking an active role in helping that friend move beyond the pain, the most important thing to do is love that person. God's love is immeasurable and doesn't go away. Your friend may welcome your help or push you away, but the single greatest thing you can continue to do for someone who is hurting is to love that person, no matter what the circumstance. Draw from God's love as much as necessary, and offer it to someone in need of comfort.

-- Ck.4.Life

--------------
-- 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 
"3 All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us.
4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
5 You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.
6 So when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your benefit and salvation! For when God comforts us, it is so that we, in turn, can be an encouragement to you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer.
7 We are confident that as you share in suffering, 
you will also share God’s comfort."

-- Psalms 10:17 
"LORD, You know the hopes of the helpless. 
Surely You will listen to their cries and comfort them."

-- Psalms 94:19 
"When doubts filled my mind, 
Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer."

-- Psalms 23:4 
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 
I will fear no evil, for You are with me; 
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

-- Psalms 119:76 
"May Your unfailing love be my comfort, 
according to Your promise to Your servant."