Word of the Week - Comforter

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. ⁵ For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. ⁶ If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. ⁷ And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.  2 Corinthians 1: 3-7

Regardless of your status or circumstance, in this life we all experience tough times that create distress, fear, anxiety pain and dis-ease.  In fact, one of God’s promises to us is that we will have trouble “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.  The good news is that as followers of Christ we have victory due to His work on the Cross.  But He does not stop there, He goes much further and tells us that in the midst of our troubles and pain He desires to be with us and Comfort us.  Just like a good earthy father would do to a son or daughter who is facing difficult circumstances in life, our heavenly Father desires to Comfort us when we are facing trials and feeling pressed and trapped.  As part of His design He gave us Himself in the three persons of God (Trinity), the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  God’s Holy Spirit literally means – Great Comforter.As follower of Christ it is critical that we know and understand that God deeply desires to be with us and Comfort us in all situations and circumstances of life but especially when we are going through the difficult and fiery trials in life.  Suffering is an inevitable part of our Christian life that gives us an opportunity to learn and experience the gentle and loving hand of our great Comforter. God desires to meet our every need if we simply invite Him into our situation and surrender to Him our circumstances and trust in His provision.  In doing this God can literally turn dire and hopelessness into Hope and life giving encouragement.  This is the work of God.So why would God allow us to suffer in the first place?  That is what is so amazing about God our Father, He cares more about developing us in His purpose so He uses the trials we face in life to show us His love and kindness in order to help us grow more faithful and dependent upon Him, for a much bigger God purpose.  In our trials, if we turn to God and depend on His strength in our weakness and vulnerability, we can truly experience His tangible peace and Comfort.  This is how we experience God in His supernatural ability and our faith increases.  He also does this to align us to His divine plan for all humanity; for us His children to become His hands and feet to give Comfort to those in need; in doing so, we become ambassadors/disciples of His peace and Comfort to show the tangible Love of God.  “It is the kindness of God that leads us to repentance”  Romans 2:4  This allows God to use us to love and Comfort our fellow believers and bring Good news of the Gospel to those who are lost who don’t know Christ and need salvation.  Finally, at the most intimate level, God allows us to share in His suffering so that we can relate with at some level how He suffered for us, which leads us to rejoice in the reality of our salvation and hope in Christ.  We would never be able to appreciate the reality of what Jesus endured if we did not know suffering and the hope of redemption.  Without suffering there is not an opportunity to be Comforted.So when we are pressed, depressed, suffering, or in despair – let’s remember to turn it over to God and seek Him for Comfort. Let’s Worship and praise Him in the midst of our pain when we feel like we are locked in to a narrow, dark place - - Let’s remember, as Christians we can receive Comfort from the highest source. And when He gives us peace and Comfort let’s share it with others.  And finally, let’s rejoice in our suffering and Comfort because we understand that we have a seat at the table and are co-laboring with Christ.By the way, I received an immeasurable amount of Comfort from the Lord this week in a very dire situation, which is why I am sharing this with you😊.Have a great week….-Duane