Someone blessed me with a Starbucks giftcard so I got a vanilla iced latte today at Target. It was comfort to me. But I didn't order it just so I could be comforted - I also knew that an extra kick of caffeine would surge me through the morning so I might be able to skip through my errands and have added energy to be attentive to my kids (and neighbor since I was babysitting). I'm not condoning caffeine as a prerequisite to discipleship :) My point is that we are comforted so that we may be a comfort to others. I sipped a latte so I could serve better. This almost sounds ridiculous. Maybe it is :) Why don't we just let that analogy drop right there and look at what Paul is saying here.
God the Father of all mercies and of all comfort is promising to the believer who is experiencing suffering and affliction of any kind an abundance of comfort. As we suffer with Christ according to the will of our sovereign God (the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ), we will be comforted by God the Father in Christ. What a promise!! In any affliction, internal or external, I can experience direct, personal comfort from God (ESV notes vs 1:4) What does it look like, then? Read Dr. Thomas Constable's notes on this section below (bold highlights mine):
“Comfort” (Gr. paraklesis) is the key word in this section (vv. 3-7) occurring 10 times as a noun or a verb. It also appears in 2:7, 8; 5:20; 6:1; 7:4, 6, 7, 13; 8:4, 6, 17; 9:5; 10:1; 12:8, 18; and 13:11. Thus 2 Corinthians is truly a letter of encouragement. This Greek word means much more than mere sympathy. It communicates the idea of one person standing alongside another to encourage and support his friend. The same word describes the Holy Spirit (“Paraclete”) who strengthens and guides us (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). Christ, too, provides encouragement and support as our Advocate (1 John 2:1) and Helper (Heb. 2:18). Here it is the Father who comforts and consoles the afflicted.
“There are two things of which God is said to have the monopoly: He is ‘the God of all grace’ and He is ‘the God of all comfort.’ All grace comes from Him, all lasting comfort comes from Him.”[22]
One of the ways in which attachment/bonding is formed is through the caregiver "giving" comfort. It's been so crazy the past few days as I've thought over this passage...my adopted toddler has come running for comfort from me more times than I can count due to scrapes, bangs, cuts, gashes, falls, bonks...you name it. I just let him run around in his bike helmet now :) But all these "afflictions" have given me opportunity to comfort him by putting on a bandaid and prop him back up on his feet after a snuggle (which are rare and precious with him!) I am reinforcing to him that he can trust me and come to me as I reflect the heart of our Father of mercy, grace and comfort.
So as my kids run to me for encouragement, help, comfort...that soothing balm of Gilead...so I run to my Father. This section of scripture is a HUGE help to me in the "afflictions" of motherhood as I carry out the ministry of reconciliation. No matter the tantrum, the constant opposition, the 10,000 needs going on at once, I can rest assured there is paraklesis abundant for me in any given moment. God wants to help, encourage, strengthen, and comfort me! Sometimes I just need to get quiet enough to surrender and trust my God in order to receive. Sometimes He sends blatant help in the form of a "Titus" (2 Cor 7:6). We wait, watch and by faith receive our comfort from God.
Not only does He promise to comfort, but there is also the promise that this Living Comfort will continue to work in the hearts of those we serve. We can patiently endure the the 4:30pm to 6:00pm hour or the sleepless nights or early mornings knowing that the comfort received in those times will bear a fruitful harvest of comfort and salvation in the lives of my family members! (vs. 6) We are comforted so that we may be able to comfort! (vs 3) When I am despairing even of life, battling depression or those dark days - they have purpose in Christ. Oh, that I would learn not to rely on myself - but rather run and receive from the Comforter and Deliverer. (vs. 1:9-10)
And why all this? So the great Father of mercies will get more thanks, more praise and more glory! (vs 11) Amen! :)
"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom 15:5-6
"As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you:..."Is 66:13
Be encouraged today, O mother of comfort and joy :)
Encourage me with a short comment :) How have you been comforted in your afflictions? What does it look like for you to receive and then pour out the comfort of the Father of all grace, mercy and comfort? What other thoughts do you have in this introductory section?
Great motivation here to continue to run to my Heavenly Father for comfort every day (moment!). If I'm not receiving comfort from Him, I have no comfort to give to others. He alone is my source of comfort, both for me personally and as my life flow to others.
ReplyDeleteawwww...Hi Trisha :) Miss you!! So glad you commented!! You're right...He ALONE is the source. Good to remember when I run to a variety of other "sources".
DeleteFirst off, Shawna, I miss you!! Pete was laid off this past Friday, and the first person he saw was a dear friend of his at the gas pump when he was filling up with gas, who offered such warm and sweet words of encouragement in such a time of need. Then, shortly after I got the news from Pete, I received a very sweet and encouraging letter in the mail from a sweet friend, who had no idea of our current situation, and couldn't have. But, God did, and he orchestrated both events to give us both such comfort and love in our time of need. And now, I receive the comfort and encouragement from you, sweet friend, to whom God has given comfort so you can pass it to others. Thank you so much for sharing all that the Lord has placed on your heart. I miss you dearly. Love, Victoria
ReplyDeleteOh, Victoria! I'll be praying for you guys. Thank you for sharing - for continuing to see the blessing in the trial, for counting the gifts and the comforts...You are in His hands, sweet friend. Love you and miss you!
DeleteThank you, Shawna! O how we as people crave His comfort! I have been especially comforted today that this moment in my life is no doubt clearly in His focus. I read this article on the 24/7 website: http://24-7prayer.us/stories/141 A sense of His "with-ness" in dealing with us. I loved the idea of how disrupting it must have been to Mary the mother of Jesus to be told of the news, but then she was instructed to call Him Emmanuel....God with us! He is with us! That's a comfort right there! With us in every little thing. Oh Jesus! be near, stay near, help me to know you are so close. Shawna, precious one, God bless you for your encouragement from His Spirit to my heart today! Colleen
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