A LICENSE TO COMFORT

Who (God) 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.
II Corinthians 1:4

Perhaps my age, (and I know it has something to do with it) I'm seeing very Godly friends being called into arenas where they would never choose to go. I'm amazed as I view friends and some family members who are either very ill or have debilitating physical conditions, conditions they may very well live them for their lifetimes. There are some going through other very difficult things having nothing to do with health issues.

Several years ago, I went to a visitation at a funeral home. The husband of a lady in my Sunday school class had passed away. There were other ladies from our class there. I hugged my friend and while there did that every now and then. Periodically I would go to her with fresh tissues. Sometimes I would bring her a cup of water, and insisted she take a few sips of it. I prayed for her during that time from a bit of a distance while other ladies in our class paid close attention to her as well. There was one thing I couldn't do that some of those other ladies could. I couldn't say what a lot of folks tend to say in such a circumstance without thinking. I couldn't say, “I know how your feel.” I could have said it, but in reality, I didn't know the depths of her feeling because my husband was/is still very much alive. I couldn't really feel with her. I didn't have a license to comfort that I think Paul is speaking of to the Corinthians.

Paul said that as God comforts us in our times of difficulty and we feel that comfort, we are learning how to share that comfort we received in our particular times of difficulty. It doesn't mean we can't comfort folks in all sorts of circumstances, but when someone is going through something we've been through and we've known God's working with us, we can step in with encouragement that we knew in our own time of difficulty.

As God's children, He often leads us into mission fields where we would never dare venture to go. I have friends who have suddenly found themselves in hospital emergency rooms and on into the hospital. There, God has waiting personnel and others one doesn't know and never would had they not found themselves in those circumstances. I know from working in a hospital some patients I met who were such blessings every time I saw them for appointments. Many were in severe pain from liver disease, but many had smiles with sweetness in their pain that we so amazing. Sometimes as they left they would say, “God bless you, Glendarae.” Those were days when I usually needed blessed.

I know folks right now who sit in chemo rooms who a year ago never foresaw sitting where they do on an almost daily basis now. They greet fellow patients and personnel as well with positive, uncomplaining attitudes. In such a times of such human distress, I've seen them with good spirits, trusting Jesus in it all.

Close to six years ago, when I fell into our church basement, I was amazed all the folks from EMT's to emergency room personnel, I saw during during that time that also included folks from our church who hurried to the hospital. Above all, my Heavenly Father was my comfort and strength during that time. That was not a mission field I felt called to that evening but that was God's plan for me to be there in those moments. I don't know a lot of folks who have fallen into church basements, but I sure can feel with folks who go through terrible accidents
.

Our call may not be for anything physical. The list may include things like struggling with depression, marital problems, empty nest adjustments, teen rebellion, sudden loss of job, abuse issues... and the list could go on and on. When any of those things sound familiar, God has a way of sending a person in need across our path for us to share with them our experience and God's working in it.

We all have licenses to comfort. We've all needed God's comfort in various levels of difficulty. We don't have to preach any sermons or be great orators in sharing the mercy and grace of God we've known in our own lives. Folks need to know they aren't alone, that God never deserts His children. If a person is unsaved, it's a wonderful opportunity to share with that person how precious God's presence can be in one's life.

When we are struck with a difficulty or emergency out of the blue, we should feel an assurance that God will never leave or desert us...He is sovereign...nothing can just drop into our lives without His knowledge. “Oops” isn't in God's vocabulary. We must keep mindful though that as He walks us through those negatives life has to offer, He is near to comfort and instruct. He also probably has folks waiting in our particular arena...folks who need to feel blessed and encouraged that God is very real. We should be alert to those times God brings someone across our paths who needs our words of wisdom and encouragement that we know only came from a very loving Father. He's given us a gift...a license to comfort.

Father, I don't understand when illness or accidents come my way, but I know You have purpose in all You do in my life. I know You don't want me to waste any of what You have taught me. I can brag on nothing of myself, but only brag on You. Thank You for Your wonderful power in my life. I love you....In Jesus precious name...Amen