Extending the Compassion and Comfort We Have Received.
By Emily Rose Massey
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NASB
“There is no heartbeat. I’m so sorry.” I sat up, let the tears stream down my face, and a big sigh escaped. The doctor asked if I was going to be okay. With a shaky voice, I pointed her to the One that has always been near to me during times like these. “I have been through a lot in my short life. I have had some serious valley experiences …but my faith in God has always gotten me through it. This will be no different. Jesus is faithful.” She sat still across from me, nodded her head, and said “I’m glad you have that kind of faith. I will give you some time alone …come out whenever you are ready, and we will talk about our options.”
I was alone in that room, yet I knew I would not be alone in my sorrow. God saw me in my pain and did not overlook it. He was faithful to my husband and me, and we now have three sons. Although God answered our prayers to have children, He still saw all the tears and was near me as my heart and body healed. I looked to the only One who could keep me from being crushed under the weight of grief. He comforted me when I so desperately needed it and brought me His peace in the midst of that storm. Paul shared this kind of comfort with the church at Corinth in his second letter to them. Comfort which flows from our compassionate Heavenly Father:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 1 Corinthians 1:3-4, NASB
The mighty, all-powerful God who created the entire universe is the same God who draws oh so close to us in our brokenness and pain. He uses these times of pain to teach us how to comfort others when they are walking through a valley. We can see the way He makes beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3) as we extend the same comfort we have received from the Father. Because of the difficult experience of losing our first baby many years ago, by God’s grace, I have been able to comfort many other women who have walked the same painful path.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Having eternal perspective lifts our eyes from the cares of this life and helps us move forward when we are going through a storm. We are reminded that ultimately, this place is not our home. Being heavenly-minded during earthly trials fuels our hope in God and brings comfort to our weary souls. We can lift our eyes heavenward as we eagerly wait for the return of Christ, and that glorious day we will abide with God forever in heaven. No matter how dark things may become around us, we can ask the Holy Spirit to fill us with enduring hope.
Renewing our minds in God’s Word enables us to seek and understand His perfect will for our lives with increased clarity, especially when our minds are full of unanswerable questions. Trouble and anxiety minimize, and our minds strengthen and renew when we lift our gaze upon the Lord and meditate on the Scriptures about who He is. He has a purpose for us to fulfill here on earth, to share His glorious Gospel and the truth found in His Word. Comfort and peace are available to all of God’s children.
The trial you are facing will be used for a purpose far beyond yourself as you become a vessel for God’s comfort to reach the hurting and broken all for His glory. You may be disappointed, grieving, and hurting, but don’t stay in the pain and discouragement permanently. Your Father is near, let us praise His Holy name! And remember, there is someone around you who needs to know about His compassionate comfort. Let us run into the arms of our Father and find great comfort in Him together!
Further Reading:
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Drazen Zigic
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