WOW--Writing On the Word: Email and Other Comforts by Marilyn Nutter

“I know what your daughter is going through. This is so reminiscent of my days in the hospital for a similar issue. I know how serious it is, but God’s grace is there. I’m praying.”

The email was such an encouragement. It wasn’t a quick, “I’m sending prayers your way,” which I know are well-meaning expressions, but the email spoke of identifying because of a similar experience.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians and told them, “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 have received from God.” (1 Corinthians 1: 3-4)

My friend related. She knew what my daughter was going through. It was a comfort to me. We can count on God’s comfort, but we also receive comfort from those who have walked the same journey we walk and are farther along. They understand.

Whether we experience physical or emotional pain or trials of different types, we can count on God’s comfort and grace to be our companions. The illness may not be healed. The trial may not be resolved. It may even escalate, but we have God’s comfort to sustain us. God wastes nothing. When we receive His comfort, He wants us to share it with others.

Are you going through a difficult time today?

Seek and receive God’s comfort.
Look for encouragement in the Bible.
Spend some time in prayer.

Perhaps you have passed through a trial.

What comfort from others did you receive or wish you had?
Can you share God’s comfort with someone who needs it?
Pray about an appropriate way to comfort them.
Perhaps you might write a note, give a hug, offer to pray with them, send an email or offer help in a tangible way.