Comfort

"Comfort" By Diane Webb

II Corinthians 1: 4—"Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."

Allow God to comfort you when you are struggling, downcast, weary, or overwhelmed. Open yourself up to his loving kindness, his arms of protection, and his hand of comfort. As you receive God's comfort, you are then able to extend comfort to others who are in trouble or need. You can show the love of Christ as Christ has shown his love for you. Show compassion and kindness in all you say and do. Have patience with those who are troublesome. Open your heart to those who are unlovable. It is easy to be nice, kind, and loving to those who are friendly, cooperative, and gentle of spirit. It is a challenge to extend a word of encouragement and compassion to those who are belligerent, irritable, and unreasonable. Look to God for your own comfort therefore you will have the ability to comfort others. For today, allow yourself to be comforted. Do not push it away. Do not allow pride to keep you from accepting comfort. Pray to God throughout the day to help you recognize his ways of comforting you. Accept God's comfort because it is the only way you will really be able to comfort others.

I pray, Lord, that I will be open to your love and comfort. Help me recognize all the ways you extend loving kindness towards me throughout the day. Help me then be able to extend compassion and comfort to others who are not always being nice. Help me forgive those who have hurt me and help me show them comfort as well. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.