COMFORTING OTHERS

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

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, NIV

When life is tiring, when we are struggling with our sin, when family members aren't saved, when bills aren't paid, when work is exhausting, when your health is falling, when your loved ones are hurt, when the future is unsure, and when a good friend leaves, it is easy to be discouraged.

Discouragement is a thief. It steals our vitality, our zeal, our joy, our peace, and our contentment. If discouragement dwells long with us, its friends will soon join. Their names are fatigue, hopelessness, despair, self-pity, depression, doubt, and bitterness. Sometimes, discouragement can be so strong that we even don't want to go on.

Discouragement is dissatisfaction with the past, distaste for the present, and distrust of the future. It is the result of blindness. It is ingratitude for the blessings of yesterday, indifference to the opportunities of today, and insecurity regarding strength for tomorrow. It is unawareness of the presence of God, unconcern for the needs of our fellow man, and unbelief in the promises of His Word.

If we have nothing to rely on, or we forget our blessing and look at our circumstances, then that is when discouragement begins to take hold. Instead, what we need is encouragement. We need hope and peace and the knowledge that the Lord knows our troubles, has great concern and compassion for us, and is not leaving us unloved or uncared for. Keeping your eyes on Jesus is the best way to be encouraged. In Him, you can have comfort and peace and encouragement. You need to find Him and His words, and by faith, rest in Him. Be encouraged because God is a God of mercy and comtort. Take encouragement because God is there in your afflictions. You should be encouraged because you can be instruments of comfort to others.

Encouragement is something that belongs to us as a Christian.

We do not have to live in a world of hurt and doubt. We don't have to live alone. We don't have to weep in solitude. We have the body of Christ to lift us up. We have the Word of God to teach us. We have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us who warms our soul. We have the God of encouragement waiting to show us His mercy and love. But we need to trust. We need to remember the Lord's blessing. We need to depend on Him. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus and Him alone!!!

Father, thank You for this day and the breath of Your Word that guides our way. Lord, open the storehouses of Your abundant blessings and rain them down upon us and our family today. Lord, thank You for knowing our heart, caring about our concerns, and comforting us when we are wounded. Thank You, Lord, for all the comfort and grace that You have bestowed on us without measure. Bless the Lord of my soul and all that is within me bless His holy name. Lord, use us to share Your grace, mercy, and comfort with someone else today.

Father, we love You. Amen.