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 receive from God. – (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Father who is full of mercy, the God of all comfort. He comforts us every time we have trouble so that when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us. – (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, ERV)
All praise goes to God, Father of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. He is the Father of compassion, the God of all comfort. He consoles us as we endure the pain and hardship of life so that we may draw from His comfort and share it with others in their own struggles. – (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, VOICE)
The compassion and comfort of Christ not only teaches us how to give the same to others, but it fills us to overflowing so that we are able to comfort others as we ourselves are comforted. When we endure our own trials and struggles, we gain insight and understanding for those who go through similar things after us. It never ceases to amaze me as to how quickly God brings this sort of beauty from our ashes. Empathy can only truly exist through our own experiences and God seems to place us in spaces where there are people who need what we know, and find comfort in the company of another who has walked a similar road. Though none of us enjoy struggles and hardships, there is comfort in knowing that God can use the difficult things to help someone else. May we ever seek the Lord to be our strength in the struggle and our peace as we walk alongside those in the midst of their own difficulties, for He is the God of all comfort and compassion.
God of compassion,
Father of all grace;
comforts the seekers,
throughout all our days.
All that He gives us,
we have to give too;
to comfort others,
with love that is true.
True in its goodness,
an embrace of peace;
sweetness in sorrow,
compassion’s release.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the God of all compassion, comfort and care. Thank You that You see and know our needs. Thank You that You provide, even in our most difficult seasons. Thank You that You use such seasons to help others later on. Forgive us for our fears and frustrations when we walk through hard things. Teach us to trust You more, for You can use all things for good when we trust in You. Lead us in Your love so that we might have compassion for those around us and offer comfort in the same ways that we ourselves were comforted. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we thank You for the comfort You continually give to us and for the beauty that You can bring from our ashes. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present
…To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair… – Isaiah 61:3b
Revelations In Writing 