Comfort

Spiritual Vitamin: "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

Challenge: The word all comfort in this passage comes form the ancient Greek word paraklesis. The idea behind this word for comfort in the New Testament is always more than soothing sympathy. It has the idea of strengthening, of helping, of making strong. The idea behind this word is communicated by the Latin word for comfort (fortis) which also means "brave." One great purpose of God in comforting us is to enable us to bring comfort to others. Have you received and experienced God's comfort in your difficult? Have you been able to extend God's comfort to others? (Enduringword.com, 2 Corinthians 1)

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much that You are the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. Lord, thank you that you desire to extend comfort to each of us in the midst of our hardships and trials. Thank you that you desire to use us to pass that same comfort on those who are hurting. I pray that I can share Your comfort with others, Lord. Amen.