Sunday, June 25, 2017

The God Of Comfort

Hey Friend,

This may seem like an odd way to start a post on a Christian blog site, but as I am sipping my coffee seven weeks into a long and grueling convalescence from oral surgery, then foot surgery, this song came to mind.  

Not that I ever really liked it, but it seems to have a fitting chorus that puts words to how I've been feeling lately.  If you're game, you'll give it a listen and I'll pick back up after you have a sound byte:


Sound familiar?  Do you ever feel this way?  

Just as you are getting your footing from being knocked down and getting back up, the enemy or life comes along and "boom" you're back on the mat again - squirming like an upside down bug that can't right itself.

This has been my experience the past two months.  I've shared some of the details in previous posts so I won't bore you here, but I asked my husband at dinner the other night, "How many times have I had complete meltdowns throughout this whole ordeal?"

My husband looked at me quizzically as if it was a trick question.

"I'd have to say maybe three," he said matter of factly.

"Hey, that's not too bad considering it's been almost two months....that's less than one every couple of weeks," I retorted somewhat proud of myself.

Actually, there's no room for pride.  The only way I've been able to keep getting back up is due to the all sufficient grace that God has given me.  In my weakness it has been His strength-so that I may not boast.

So Why, I wondered, have all these things been happening?  Why all the bad bumps along the way?  Why couldn't the enemy pick on someone else for awhile? My answer came this morning when I read this section of scripture in my quiet time.  I invite you to really read it slowly and let the words sink in.

2 Corinthians 1: 3-7
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction,[b] so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so through Christ our comfort also overflows. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is experienced in your endurance of the same sufferings that we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that as you share in the sufferings, so you will share in the comfort.

I admit that in some ways I don't relish the thought that my suffering is for someone else's benefit.  

But then, didn't Christ suffer for MY benefit???

I believe that God allows us to suffer so that we will rely totally on God - the God of all comfort.  He desires to give us His strength in our weakness.  He draws near and comforts us.

I also believe that God allows us to suffer so that we will take it one step further and step outside our comfort zone, into the shoes of others who are suffering, so that we may comfort them with the comfort we have been shown by God.

Last, I believe that God allows our suffering so that others who have similarly suffered, and have been comforted by God, may come alongside us and share the comfort that they have received.

In doing so we realize that though we may get knocked down, we can, indeed get up again, and in God's power nothing will ever be able to keep us down permanently!

I would like to say a big "Thank you" to the people who have reached out to me to lift me up off the mat.  Thank you for sharing your comfort with me because you know what it's like to have suffered.  You know who you are.

I praise God for the people God has given me the opportunity to comfort because of the great and awesome comfort He has given me.  It helps me not to resent my affliction, but to find joy in it because He has given me the great honor of providing comfort to some of His other children.

It's the great seesaw of life as a believer.  One day we will be the one who is up and the next day we may be the one who is down.  

May I always remember the comfort that God has brought me through His children who have suffered, and may I bring comfort in response to others who suffer because I have known the grace and mercy of the great God of comfort.

Claiming God's promise that as I share in the suffering, so shall I share in the comfort.  

Have you been suffering?  Or are you the one standing with others around you who are suffering?  Either way, what do you feel God calling to you to do...to experience...to share?  How does this scripture give you hope?

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You and praise You that You are the God of all comfort.  Thank you for being my strength in my weakness so that I may boast of Your goodness.  Help me to see and not to overlook those around me who are suffering.  Let me heed Your call to be a comfort to them.  Thank You for those who have suffered and have heeded Your call to comfort me.  Because of You and Christ's great suffering for me, I count myself as truly blessed.  Enable me to not just read Your commands, but to act on them so that Your name will be glorified.  In Jesus' precious name I pray, Amen.

Be blessed.....

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30 comments:

  1. God is teaching you so well during this time! The words in 2 Corinthians are very convicting. It doesn't feel comfortable to know we need to suffer so we can share in comfort. But when I read through all the words it makes perfect sense. Jesus did suffer for our benefit and that sacrifice will never compare to any little suffering I go through. Praying for you as you continue to heal and let God do a good work in you.

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    1. Mary,
      Through each surgery and recovery, God has had many lessons to teach me. This week He really spoke to me about suffering and comfort and my role in this give and take. Yes, our suffering pales in comparison to what Jesus went through, but It does give us a glimpse of just what He was willing to do for us because of His great love. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  2. Awww, Bev. It is such an interesting balance we walk as believers. We know that this life isn't really about us, but when we're knocked down, I admit I sometimes wish it could be about me . . . just for a minute. ;) God never wastes anything, and He always works in multi-faceted ways. Even when I don't understand the why's, I'm learning to embrace Him through the hard things, the setbacks, disappointments, and discouragements that inevitably come in this life.

    You are shining His light brightly, my friend. As you share so transparently you also encourage your readers. Thank you for that.

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    1. Jeanne,
      I'm like you - I want to know the reasons why!! The best thing I can put my finger on is that through suffering and hardship we learn to have some of the compassion that Christ had/has for us. I know I would not be nearly as "others" focused had I not received comfort and caring when I've been down from God and friends. When you know what it's like to feel all alone, it makes you want to come alongside others so they don't have to feel that way. I hope my transparency will edify and encourage others. Thanks for your encouragement!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  3. Thanks for walking us (with such transparency) through this process of healing and hoping. Yesterday, my Sunday School class was puzzling together over the mystery of suffering and what it means to "share in" the sufferings of Christ. It does seem as if there is a special bond that forms between the believer and God when we are flat on our backs and looking up. I suppose that the challenge, then, is to live within that discovered intimacy even after we are back to "normal."
    Thanks for the bright light of your words here, Bev.
    P.S. I have received your email and am praying about what my response should be . . .

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    1. Michele,
      That is my exact prayer - that when I am back on my feet and things are "normal" again, I pray that I won't be too busy to serve others who are struggling and suffering. I pray that God would remind me of this "discovered intimacy" and to live and walk that out in my life. Thanks for giving my email prayerful consideration....
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  4. What a gift you have for looking at the positive aspect of things, Bev! Especially with what you have been through!
    I only hope I can be such a great disciple!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. Jodie,
      I'm trying and I do have my moments when I'm really down in the dumps and sick of all this. I just keep asking God for the patience and perseverance and so far He hasn't let me down. Thanks for your encouragement.
      Blessings,
      Bev xo

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  5. Bev, I admire you for finding spiritual lessons in your time of suffering. In my past seasons of pain, I did gain comfort knowing someday I might give hope to others in my situation. I'm glad God redeems some of the pain that way. Blessings to you!

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    1. Sarah,
      Yes, I definitely see how God redeems the pain in our lives. I see how he is redeeming it in your ministry! Trying to keep my eyes open for the lessons God would have me learn.
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  6. This brings such humility into each of our lives: "It's the great seesaw of life as a believer. One day we will be the one who is up and the next day we may be the one who is down." Truth!
    Hard to be down as I'm listening to the song. :) Thanks for sharing this, Bev.

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    1. Lisa,
      I listen to that song and then I get it stuck in my head lol. Thankful that God has provided me with the care of others when they are up. Praying that I will remember to lend of loving and helpful hand when others are down and I am up.
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  7. Dear Bev, it totally sucks to hear, "It's not about me," when we're hurt/frustrated/scared/confused. Please believe me, on this side, that the Lord will more than repay our sacrifices of pain. Prayers for comfort and reassurance.

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    1. Alice,
      You are so right - it is HARD to realize it's not all about us. But, like you said the Lord is always good to redeem and repay our sacrifices of pain with His goodness and blessings. Thank you so much for your prayers of comfort!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  8. Bev, I love how you give voice to both the pain and the joy in the suffering. It isn't easy to always see that it isn't always about us! However, your firm belief in God's word gives you a perspective that keeps you grounded and sharing your hopefulness with others. You are a great encourager to me for sure!! We all try to help one another walk through the many storms and dark night of the souls in our lives only by God's perfect Grace. You are showing great fortitude as well as humility during this difficult time. May healing continually be upon you. Xoxo

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    1. Lisa,
      Yesterday and today, my hopefulness has not been at an all time high. It is definitely an ebb and flow process. I am so thankful for you and how you have helped me walk through the dark night of my soul. I know it is only in God's grace that we get from one day to the next. Thank you for your continual encouragement sweet friend. Praying for you!!
      Love and thanks,
      Bev xo

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  9. First, I am SO sorry you've had to journey such a difficult road for so long. Second, I am deeply encouraged by your determination to learn from and use your experience to benefit others. Just your reminder that "Christ suffered for MY benefit" (especially with the three question marks to grab my attention!) had me prayerfully responding within my spirit. I can add a loud AMEN to your statement: "God allows us to suffer so that we will rely totally on God - the God of all comfort." It's been my experience that he DOES come alongside during trials, making his presence more palatable. And truly, his goodness never fails. We may not immediately receive the good blessing of relief, but he bestows other blessings in abundance as we wait. Intimacy with him would be number one. Thank you for these important reminders, from one who is in the trenches!

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    1. Nancy,
      I am trying to learn from these experiences. Yes, the thought that Christ suffered for my benefit has really been hitting home for me. I am learning more and more to surrender my self-sufficiency and trade it in for total and complete reliance and dependence on God. I know there have always been blessings in the waiting - I've seen them with every other surgery recuperation I've come through. He desires intimacy with us more than anything and so I am trying to keep myself open. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  10. I'm so sorry for the hard time you've had, Bev. May the Lord continue to comfort and strengthen you. He won't allow you to be tested beyond what you can bear! You're a bright light for Jesus, friend!

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    1. Betsy,
      I'm hanging in there and this certainly has been a test. Learning to rely on God's grace and mercy to get me through. Thanks for your well wishes!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  11. Oh Bev ... this has been a long haul for you. I love those verses in Joel 2 where he talks about how God restores the years the locusts have eaten. May He redeem this hard season in ways you can't even imagine.

    Give yourself grace and space, friend.

    P.S. You've shared my favorite Scripture today ...

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    1. Linda,
      Well your favorite scripture has sure been speaking to me lately. I do wonder about all this "down" time with surgeries. I do look forward as to how God will redeem this hard season. Thanks for the invitation to give myself grace and space...YOU are a blessings!!
      Always,
      Bev xx

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  12. Hello coffee neighbor! Praying that you will heal quickly and be lifted up and encouraged in this challenging season.

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    1. Hi Cindi,
      Welcome...so glad you popped by. Thank you so much for your prayers - they are truly felt!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  13. God always has a greater purpose to reveal through our suffering. I can imagine how hard it's been, but you will be stronger for it. Thank you for continuing to reveal God in the midst of it.

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    1. Barbie,
      I keep trying to stay focused on God's greater purpose in suffering. It's been a long, hard road - I won't deny that. But God has been good on him promise of His grace being sufficient.
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  14. Such a good reminder about how God comforts us in our suffering and gives us the ability to encourage others. Praying He continues to comfort you as you recover.

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    1. Debbie,
      So thankful we have a God of comfort who draws near when we need it. I hope that others will be encouraged. Thank you so much for your prayers!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  15. It's a lot easier to understand hardship when we've walked in those sandals, isn't it? I'm glad you're coming to the end of your sofa-rest. I know it's been a long time of healing, but I pray it's been worth it and that freedom waits on the other side of it for you. --- I'm feeling weary myself, burned out and in need of the quieter life the Lord's bringing me into this summer. Thanks for the encouragement, Bev. ((hug))

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    1. Brenda,
      If anything this perpetual down time has made me realize that I need to work more of the quiet, down time into my day when I'm back up and running again. It doesn't need to be an all or nothing proposition. Praying, sweet friend, for rejuvenation for you this summer.
      Love and ((hugs)),
      Bev xx

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