[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. — 2 Corinthians 1:4
Comfort is contagious when it begins with God. Note that we must first be comforted by God. Why is this? Because when we are in emotional distress, we cannot find the grace we need to offer God’s comfort to others. Their pain will only add to our pain, and that is the opposite of what God intended.
However, when we are comforted by God, then an amazing thing happens. We wake up to the realization that it isn’t our job to fix other people. Rather it is our job to offer Jesus to the hurting places in another person’s soul. When we haven’t received God’s comfort, we will use Jesus as a weapon to cover up our own insecurities. But when God’s comfort comes in, we are at peace, and we truly have the answer to ANY trouble, because we know the answer is not found in us, but instead in God.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
Dwight Clough is the author of four Christian books and is an active member of Lake City Church in Madison. This devotional is also available via email and you may review the archives back to 2002. To contact Dwight or Kim, use their contact form. You may also support their ministry.