Sweet Comfort

"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."
2 Corinthians 1:3&4

I am so thankful that God comforts us in times of trouble. There have been so many times when he has met me and spoken a word of comfort to me when I needed it most. Other times, I have read his Word and the words seemed to be written for only me. God is so faithful to minister to us by his Spirit. We are never left alone when troubles come.
    There is another dynamic of God's comfort. We are part of it. There are times when you and I have the opportunity to be the arms of God. With them, we can embrace the hurting. Sometimes we have the opportunity to be the very voice of God. We are able to speak words of comfort into the lives of people who are desperate for comfort. Sometimes we have the opportunity to be the ears of God. For those who are in pain sometimes need to just cry out. Sometimes, words are not necessary. A listening ear is far more important.
    The one thing that fuels our ability to comfort others is the fact that we, ourselves have been comforted by God. It is difficult to comfort others when we have never experienced God's comfort ourselves. This works in the same manner everything else works when God is involved. He speaks into our lives, and then we speak into the lives of others. Whether it is to comfort them, challenge them, or teach them, it can only be effective as we give out of what has been given to us. We are never "end users." Everything God gives to us is given so that we may give it to others. That is how God works. In this way, his mercy and love are multiplied.
    Apply the concept of the 'Good Samaritan' to the idea of comforting others. If Good Sam had passed by the hurting man, his wounds would have never been bound. He would have not been cared for. In the same way, when we pass by hurting people, we are missing the opportunity to be the hands, voice and ears of God. They may not receive the comfort that God wanted to extend to them. God wants to use us. But we are not his puppets. We must make the choice to give out of what has so freely been given to us. Let's spread the sweet comfort of God.