"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 trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God" (2 Corinthians 1:3,4 NIV).
While on this journey (life) we have all felt the need to be comforted at one time or another. When we're unhappy, we need to be comforted; when we're sad, we need to be comforted, when we feel lost or abandoned, we need to be comforted. For those who know The Lord, we know we can turn to Him--for whatever we need--and it will be provided. And because we know Him, we can reach out to others to comfort them when they need to be comforted--and comfort them--like He comforts us. How do we do that? By showering them with love.
Loving a person means more than just having a "feeling" about someone. When we truly love someone--that love is manifested by our willingness to serve them--in whatever capacity they need to be served. If they need a hug, we hug them. If they need encouragement, we encourage. If they need a shoulder to cry on, we allow them to lean on us and cry. If they need food and shelter, we direct or assist them in achieving a need. If they need a smile, we smile. What does God do? He uses us to serve the needs of others by doing for us, what He wants us to do.
There are a number of people out there in the world today who are fearful, insecure, lonely, desolate and feeling unloved. Won't you find them--seek them out and find a way to comfort them? Sometimes, just a cup of coffee or tea and a hug makes a world of difference to those who are facing unknown trials and known persecutions. Students are graduating without knowing what's ahead of them--give them an encouraging word. Soldiers are leaving families to protect other families--assure them you'll be there for theirs when they need them. Someone just buried a loved one--don't crowd them right now, but let them know you'll be there when they need you.
We are not God, but we can do some of the things that He does--never allow anyone to feel alone or abandoned by letting them we'll be right there and they are never alone. Our most effective witness to others is in how we treat people, not in just having something to say about Jesus. Be a witness today--offer comfort where comfort is needed and when you need it--He'll be right there in the person of someone else who has learned to comfort like He comforts.
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