2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - Shareable Comfort
After hearing a presentation yesterday about trauma, I was thinking of a friend of mine who--because of various traumas in the past--struggles with loneliness. He asked if I knew of any Bible verses that dealt specifically with loneliness, since I've faced the same struggles. As I thought it through, there were several verses that have been helpful to me through the years.
Some of the passages of scripture that I remember best aren't because I set out to memorize them. It's because I went through some trauma, and those verses met my need in a way that penetrated my mind and heart deeper than before. It's like God knew just the right verse for me at just the right time. My life story isn't identical to my friend's story, but I could share some words of comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (NASB95) — 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
It's not a matter of "either God or people" helping us deal with trauma and grief. Both are involved, but 2 Corinthians makes it clear that God is the source of all comfort. We don't comfort others because we've gone through exactly the same affliction. We know well enough to not say, "I know exactly what you're going through." Everyone's trauma or affliction is unique to their life experience. However, we can share the same comfort, because that comes from the same Person: God Himself.
Father, Each of us has some burden, some trauma that no one else knows about or would understand. Comfort each one where they need it. Bless them with the joy of being able to comfort others with the comfort they've received from you. In Jesus name, Amen.
Some of the passages of scripture that I remember best aren't because I set out to memorize them. It's because I went through some trauma, and those verses met my need in a way that penetrated my mind and heart deeper than before. It's like God knew just the right verse for me at just the right time. My life story isn't identical to my friend's story, but I could share some words of comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (NASB95) — 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
It's not a matter of "either God or people" helping us deal with trauma and grief. Both are involved, but 2 Corinthians makes it clear that God is the source of all comfort. We don't comfort others because we've gone through exactly the same affliction. We know well enough to not say, "I know exactly what you're going through." Everyone's trauma or affliction is unique to their life experience. However, we can share the same comfort, because that comes from the same Person: God Himself.
Father, Each of us has some burden, some trauma that no one else knows about or would understand. Comfort each one where they need it. Bless them with the joy of being able to comfort others with the comfort they've received from you. In Jesus name, Amen.
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