God Of All ComfortSample

Channels Of Comfort  

Most of the time, we see our troubles as a burden. However, Paul sees his afflictions as beneficial. He says that his afflictions helped him to rely on God (2 Cor. 1:9). Along with that, his afflictions enabled him to comfort others who were going through troubles (2 Cor. 1:4). Just as spiritual gifts are given so that we can be a blessing to others (cf. 1 Pet. 4:10), we are comforted so that we can comfort others. God wants his people to comfort one another. We read that God comforted Paul through Titus’ coming to Macedonia (2 Cor. 7:6). Then Paul says that Titus was comforted by the Corinthians (2 Cor. 7:7). Then Paul looks forward to comforting the Corinthians with the comfort he received from God (2 Cor. 1:6).

In the Old Testament, we read that God commissions Isaiah to comfort his people (Isa. 40:1). Apostle Paul tells the believers at Thessalonica to encourage one another (1 Thess. 5:11). So when we receive comfort from the Lord, it should not stop with us. We must become channels of comfort to others.

Jesus is able to help us in our trials because he himself experienced sufferings (Heb. 2:18). Like Barnabas, we must be people of encouragement (Acts 4:36). Whenever I go through stress, my toddler daughter’s sweet smile and her innocent words give me a lot of joy and comfort. If each of us can be a source of comfort and encouragement to others, imagine how vibrant our homes, our churches, and our world would be! We believe the Lord’s promise in Romans 8:28: “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” When we go through afflictions, the Lord can use even our afflictions to be a blessing to others. So let’s be channels of comfort to others.