Devotionals
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.
Have you ever wondered why you have to go through some things? Have you ever pondered the why me's? I have! I spent many years having a pity party! It just wasn't fair! Why did I have to go through everything I went through!
One day I was talking to my friend Shirley. She was gentle and compassionate as I poured out the pains of the past! She listened patiently for a while, then said, "Okay, it happened. Now what are you going to do with what’s left?" She went on to tell me I needed to let it go and I wasn't the least bit happy.
I think I went about a year before I talked to her again. Because what she said to me was not what I wanted to hear. I wanted someone to get on my bandwagon and feel sorry for me! I needed her to nurse my wounds, but she recognized something - she saw potential! She had experienced the power of God in her life, and knew full well that He wanted to work in my life! So, she prodded me!
Although there was a space of time before I picked up the phone and called her, the words she spoke rang in my ears. I couldn't get away from the fact that I had to move on and the only way I was going to be able to do that was to let go and let God!
One day as I wept before God the Word came alive! The God of comfort got me through the tribulation - not so I could throw a giant pity party for the rest of my life, but so that I would be able to comfort those that cross my path going through the same thing!
My experiences and tribulations suddenly looked different. Yes, there were many years of pain, but the pain now held a different meaning! It didn't destroy me, thus it must become useful!
Instead of feeding the seeds of hurt with self-pity, I began to water them with the Word of God and under the shadow of the cross everything looked different!
Are there areas in your life that seem to be of waste? Are there areas of your life that you can't fathom anything good could ever come from it?
I challenge you to take it to the cross and under the shadow of the Almighty you may just see the God of Comfort is waiting to reveal the silver lining in the cloud of tribulation!
God of comfort, thank You for getting us through so many things. Even when we didn't always appreciate the trials for what they were, You were still faithful with Your everlasting comfort!
Help us Lord to see You and not our trials! Help us Lord to recognize that You have a plan! Help us Lord to look past ourselves and see that there are others going through, often worse situations, and they need to be comforted. Help us Lord to reach out to You so that we can reach out to others with the same love You have shown us!
We ask in Jesus name! AMEN!
© Jounda LaMance August 2006
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Ah... I think maybe I can relate TOO MUCH to what you've written here! Aren't pity parties just the funnest! NOT! "Help us Lord to look past ourselves and see that there are others going through, often worse situations, and they need to be comforted." THAT (I like to call it "having been shown GRACE") is the one truth that has most helped me step out of the pity parties and into the victory dance. I really hate to look back or bring up past hurts, and yet, it is being able to say "THIS is what I overcame through Christ" that is an encouragement to those who are suffering. If I help one... just one...
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