Flow of Comfort

"All praise to God,

the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God is our merciful Father

and the source of all comfort.

He comforts us in all our troubles

so that we can comfort others.

When they are troubled,

we will be able to give them the same comfort 

God has given us."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT

If you've watched any television recently, you know that we live in a cold-hearted world.  From reality shows where only the strong survive and an every-man-for-himself mentality is fostered, to sitcoms where fathers are portrayed as buffoons and children as the only ones capable of making an informed decision, there is no doubt that this world is sorely lacking in compassion and godly values.

Living in this kind of a cruel and ruthless world, it is easy for me to become the same.  Therefore, it is important for me to stay in the flow of comfort that occurs in the Body of Christ.  This spring of eternal encouragement and reassurance in the face of difficulty gives purpose to suffering for it's use as a tool in the Father's hands to mold us into more compassionate people.

Source of the Flow

Blood mingled with sweat flowed to the ground, blending with the dry soil to make a kind of holy mud.  The very life that seeped out of the One who hung suffering on the cross served to make the disobedient and defiant right with God.  

The compassion of our Heavenly Father is most powerfully and undeniably demonstrated in Christ's sacrificial death. (Romans 5:8)  He gave His precious Son to those who didn't even know of our need or who, frankly, didn't care to be saved.  He anticipated our need for a Savior before we even knew we needed Him.

The character of God is love, and He is the source of all good things.  (1 John 4:8, James 1:17) My road to compassionate living begins with my Father:  He is the headwaters of this river of kindess.

To enter into the flow of comfort, I must be in relationship with the Source through faith in Christ Jesus, who gave His all that I might live. (Mark 10:45)

In My Troubles

He lay there beside the healing waters for 38 years; so close to freedom from the sickness that wracked his body, yet so far.  Tradition had it that angels stirred the waters of Bethesda every so often.  The first of the sick, blind, lame or paralyzed who entered her waters was miraculously healed.  This was the man's only hope: his source of salvation.

One day Jesus came along.  When He saw the man whom He had created to live life to the full lying there in despair beside the waters he asked, "Would you like to get well?" (John 5:6)  Even though the troubled man knew not from where his true healing would come, Jesus instantly made him well.  

Do I want to be healed from what holds me back from living my life as Jesus created me to live?  It could be physical, spiritual or emotional healing that I seek, but I must look to the Great Physician as the only source of wholeness.  When I'm ready, He will comfort me like no other; sending brothers and sisters alongside me to support, granting me a sense of peace in my heart, and encouraging me through the assurance that He has everything under control.

To receive the flow of comfort, I must be willing to receive the support He offers.

Enables me to Comfort

He was hated by most Jews.  His colorful, diverse background was despised by the people who called themselves God's own.  Even so, when he saw the poor man suffering as the result of the cruelty of another, he was compelled to help out of great compassion for his predicament, despite the fact that the victim was a Jew. (Luke 10:30-37)

The kindness God has shown me during times of great suffering and pain overflows to others in their time of need.  Since I am loved deeply by God, I am empowered to love others in the same way, just as the Good Samaritan did.

Unfortunately, that flow is sometimes blocked by fear or selfishness.  If my comfort, well-being or reputation is more important on my list of priorities, then God's love will not flow.  If my attention is more on my life, my desires and my plan, then God's love will not flow.

To allow the flow of comfort to pour from me, I must be willing to put God first, above all other concerns.

Even though I live in a dark, mean world, I am not destined to become the same.  Instead, I can let the flow of comfort gush forth by encouraging the relationship I have with the Father of Compassion, to allow Him to comfort me in all my troubles, and to keep the river of love flowing through me.  In this way, the flow of comfort will flood into every part of my life.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can pay attention to my Source of all good things.

How do I block the flow of compassion in my life?

When am I afraid to reach out to someone in need?