The God Of All Comfort

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 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." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (KJV)

Perhaps the greatest show of our love for one another can be expressed through comfort. A touch, a hug, a kind word of understanding, or simply our quiet presence can speak more than all of the good times we've shared combined. I know, for me, just witnessing these moments between others can touch my heart in a way that nothing else can. I suppose it starts when we're a child and we get a boo-boo, or even more traumatic - a pet or loved one dies. Someone close to us is there to patch us up or give us a hug as we cry our poor hearts out. They are there loving on us... comforting us. This experience is personal, spiritual, and lasting. We may wonder how God comforts us. The Bible says He knows us well! He knows how we think and feel. He knows our struggles and how we hurt. He is our Father in Heaven. And like an earthly father, He wants to take care of us. His comfort is in His Word, it is in the Holy Spirit that has dwelt in us since our baptism into Christ, it is in the family we have in the body of Christ... His church, and it is in His forgiveness. Isn't it comforting when someone forgives us and that weight is removed and our relationship can resume? How much greater is our comfort when our Heavenly Father forgives us and our holy relationship with Him can resume? These scripture verses tell us that it is from God that we learn of comfort! He comforts us in our troubles and with that experience we are able to go to someone who is struggling and hurting and comfort them.

Have you experienced God's comfort? Have you been able to comfort others? What a blessing they both are!