God of all comfort

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Hello, my friend…

This verse has been on my mind all day, so I thought perhaps I should share some of my thoughts with you.

If you’ve been with me very long, you know I am a man of peace. For almost ten years I was a highly-trained man of war. In the military we were trained to kill on command – not out of anger, but because we were told to by our commanding officers. We were not to think of the enemy as people – they were simply killing machines that we had to shut down by whatever means it took. Prior to the military (and some time afterward) I was a federal law enforcement officer. Again, the people I took down were the enemy. For about 20 years of the prime of my life I saw the dark side of life, so I am enjoying this peaceful time of my life.

Today’s scripture, however, goes beyond peace. It speaks of comfort. When I think of comfort, I think of a warm blanket, a long hug, or sitting by a fireplace while the snow falls outside. We were talking before church this morning about listening to rain falling on a metal rooftop. Again, another memory of comfort. Paul is writing here, however, about even further than that. The word Paul uses in this verse for the God of all comfort is paraklesis – one who is called alongside, one who walks beside us during times of duress and grief.

David wrote in Psalm 23 that “...even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me.” It’s nice to know we have someone Who cares, Someone Who has already walked the path ahead and knows what is coming. More than that, though, is that He knows what we have been through. It is hard for me, sometimes, to talk with people who have been through great trauma in their lives. Maybe an abused spouse (wife OR husband), a child who was beaten or neglected growing up, a former prisoner or POW, or someone who has struggled with their health for years. It’s hard for me because I can feel their pain and, being a man, I want to fix it. My heart goes out in such a way that I wish I could absorb their pain and make it all go away. We all know that isn’t possible in the human realm, but Jesus offers us that very thing as He told us to “Come unto me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

Through the drawing of the Holy Spirit, God offers us the ability to come to the foot of the cross and lay down our burdens, for it was there Jesus died to carry that load. We are given the privilege of rolling all our cares upon Him and leave them there. The problem we have, usually, is picking it all back up when we leave that place. Let’s face it, not all healings are instantaneous. Not all deliverances are immediate. Not all trauma, guilt, fear, or whatever go away right then. When we leave the church (or wherever that consecrated place is), we still have to go home and face the doctor’s letter, or the abusive mate, or the child on drugs. We have, at least for a few moments, experienced a brief respite – a break in the load – and it is to that on-going comfort and life God is calling us. We can live a life of peace and blessing – that is to be our normal. Sure, there will come trouble into our lives occasionally. But that is to be the exception, the interruption.

God doesn’t give us this comfort, this sense of Him walking with us through the fire, just for ourselves. It is for that, to be sure, but it is so much more. As Christians, we are called to spread the good news of Jesus to others. We are to tell them what God has done for us and how He wants to do the same for them. As He has come alongside us to give us aid and comfort, so are we to take that same spirit in helping others. But it takes all of us. Not just the pastors, not just the deacons or elders. All of us.

Let’s face it: there are people I will never be able to relate to. There are those who find me repulsive because of the Presence of Jesus in my life. I don’t have to say a thing “religious” to them – they can just sense it. They immediately go into combat mode, wanting to provoke a fight or an argument. Their hair bristles up, their eyes get laser-focused and wild, and they get an attitude. By the same token, I have friends who talk to them all the time and they are fine with them. I think of my friend David. When we first met, we couldn’t stand each other. He would push my buttons every day we worked together, we would offer to go outside and settle things, I mean it was ugly. But one day I mentioned a pastor friend of mine (I didn’t identify him as a pastor, just said his name) and David’s attitude instantly shifted. He knew my friend Bruce – had dated one of his daughters as a matter of fact. He really respected Bruce – loved him (that was David’s words). Now, Bruce and I were friends, but we had walked widely different paths in our lives. Somehow he had made a connection with David that I just couldn’t get to. Go figure. That’s why each of us, as believers, are called to share the gospel.

Today, my friend, that is God’s challenge to you and me. You have surely (I pray for your benefit) not walked some of the dark places I have or experienced the hell I have witnessed, but you have a story – a God story that you can share. We are challenged to go out and share our story with those who are hungering and thirsting for life, for deliverance, for healing, for peace. It is our commission – God’s command to us – to do this, not my suggestion. We all know the world is growing crazier every day and people are struggling with their mental health more than ever before. Find those who are seeking, come alongside those who present themselves to you. God has brought them into your life for such a time as this. Let Him use you as He wills. And the God of all comfort will give you the ability to comfort them which are in any trouble, with the same comfort God gave to you.

Be blessed.