How wonderful it is to be comforted by God Almighty. There is no peaceful compassion like that of the Holy Spirit. No awkward words, just life-giving presence at just the right time.
We don’t like to hurt, do we? We simply don’t like to be uncomfortable. And we certainly don’t like it when others are expressing their sorrow or despair. We seem to think all is supposed to be well all the time.
Thankfully, the One who made us is always there for us, the Father of sympathy, the God of all comfort. He consoles and encourages us in every calamity and affliction we ever have. What a loving Father He is!
The thing is, He doesn’t do that just for us. He does that as a sort of training for us so that when someone we encounter has any kind of trouble or distress, we can comfort and encourage them! How cool is that?
But Faye!
I always
put my foot
in my mouth
when someone
needs comfort!
I get that. I do the same. What I’ve learned, though, is that sometimes, all that person in distress or trouble needs is our presence. We can BE there. Hold a hand. Do the tasks that, though important, fall by the wayside in those times.
When we find ourselves in these situations, we have only to remember when God showed up for us, giving us comfort, consolation, and encouragement. He doesn’t list answers for us. He is there for us. We can do that for others. We can slow down long enough to be there, to pray, to listen, to love, to share the stories of His comfort for us.
Let’s let God comfort and encourage us today. Whatever anxiety, distress, trouble, chaos, panic, or frighteningly unsteady situation we find ourselves in, let’s stop trying to handle it ourselves and let God take care of us in it. We’ll still have to walk through that flood of emotions, but we’ll be holding the hand of the One who can truly help. Let’s stop thinking we have to handle this stress on our own. Let’s stop trying to handle it on our own.
And let’s stop letting the possibility of awkward words keep us from offering comfort and encouragement to others. It’s what He’s prepared us for, let’s don’t miss those opportunities to be His hands, feet, and heart.
Coffee, Bible, Journal.
