Comfort for a hurting world
"Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the same comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by
God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ." ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Have you ever hurt for those you know and love, or the world around you? Not just a little, "Oh I'm sorry they're going through a tough season." but the gut wrenching sorrow that makes you wish you could take away their pain and suffering.
The events of the past few weeks have made me cry out in tearful prayer. The tragic death of a friend's two year old granddaughter, and the chemical attacks in Syria where children and adults were poisoned and left gasping in pain are just two situations that have driven me to my knees in intercessory prayer.
Sometimes living in this broken world is harsh.
As I have prayed and pondered over the things that cause me to wince in sorrow for others, I find I am continually drawn to the verses from 2 Corinthians. I am so deeply grateful for the times I have been comforted by God through the kindnesses of those around me, who are paying forward the comfort they themselves have received from God through the hands of others.
I was only 17 when my nephew (front in center in the picture above) was dying from lymphoma at eight years old. The Vietnam war was still in full swing and many of the young men I knew were being drafted to go fight on foreign soil. In addition my Dad was beginning to show signs of declining heath. Life simply didn't make much sense, but it was especially difficult when my nephew lost his battle with lymphoma. I didn't understand how a merciful God would allow an eight year old child to suffer and die, nor how He would let people senselessly kill one another in another war that made 18 year old boys cringe at the thought of being sent to fight. Even though I knew there would be a time when my Dad would no longer be with me, the thought was terrifying in a world that seemed to get crazier by the day.
In looking back, I realize it was his and mom/s steadfast faith in God being Sovereign that helped me navigate a very difficult passage of time. Their confidence in His plan, even when they didn't understand it, helped me to begin a deeper journey of trusting Him as I grew into adulthood. When my own son became gravely ill many years later when only 15 moths old, their same steadfast faith and confidence in God's Sovereign will, once again brought comfort to my hurting heart. Wrestling with the reality that God allowed my son to live, when my brother's son had not, sent me deeper into God's word,and honed my faith even more.
Not long after my boy was healed from kidney disease, I was given the opportunity to comfort a young mother whose daughter had suffered a massive head injury after being accidently run over by the child's aunt. I knew I didn't have anything of my own to offer, other than the comfort God had given me so many times in the past. Many prayers were lifted on their behalf, and I witnessed God comfort the family during their long season of the testing of their faith.
And that's exactly what difficulties in life do, they test and hone our faith. They cause us to try to run away from God and the hurt and sorrow, or carry us into a more intimate relationship with Him. If we try to run, we find we are hounded by questions and doubts as our faith is assailed. Yet, when we choose to accept the comfort that is offered at the hands of those who have been comforted by Him, we are drawn deep into His embrace and experience a peace that is beyond explanation as our faith becomes just a little bit stronger.
Nothing is wasted in God's economy. He uses everything for our good and His glory.
Let me say it again.
Nothing is wasted in God's economy. He uses everything for our good and His glory
Nothing wasted! EVERYTHING for our good and His glory!
When DT was desperately sick and hospitalized so many times for nearly two years, Romans 8:28,31, and 35-39 became some of my favorite verses:
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."(vs 28) "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (vs 31) and "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter" (Ps.44:22) Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height or depth, nor any other created ting, shall be able to separate us for the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (vs 35-39)
What comforting thoughts. If God is for us nothing can be against us, and nothing can separate us from His love. And isn't that what we all want the most, the knowledge that we're not abandoned or forgotten, and the comfort and peace that we are deeply loved and cared for and protected by the One Who created us?
It is that amazing and deep rooted confidence that carries me through the rough patches in life and grants me the ability to offer that same confidence and peace to others who are in need. The wonder and joy of His presence as I lean into Him and invite others into His embrace, surrounds and holds me through the stormiest seasons, and I rest in His mighty hands.
May He forever be glorified in all I say and do.
