Can you remember a time when you were sad or in pain and someone did a really good job at comforting you?
Last week, we heard the sad news that a person had passed away due to cancer. When we face any trouble or loss, there can be fear, pain, we could be angry or stressed out. We might have many questions, and we might not know what to do. In all of those situations we need comfort. We need God’s comfort for our souls, and it is so helpful if there are some good people that will comfort us as well.
Facing losses in my life
When I was a teenager, my parents divorced and I could not live at home anymore, that’s a loss. Some year later, I worked in a company, liked the job but then after a couple of years I lost the job, that’s another loss. Later in life, I have faced several health issues and other losses, but God has helped me to go through those struggles and God has sent people on my path that have helped me as well.
The Bible says:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (BSB)
We don’t know why all bad things happen, but we know that God sees and that he is the best person to give us the comfort we need.
Point: The best comfort will come from God
Question: In the past, in what ways has God comforted you?
The comfort we receive from God, helps us to comfort others.
Our pain does not need to be wasted; we don’t need to waste the hurt. Going through some difficult things in life puts us in a perfect position to help someone else who is now going through the same. If you have lost a child, most likely you would be the perfect person to comfort someone else who has just lost a child. If you have went through cancer, most likely you could be a tremendous help to someone who is battling cancer right now.
Question: Looking at your past and the troubles you have went through, for what kind of situations you would be well equipped to help someone else?
Question: Thinking about your experience and how you wish others would have helped you, what do you think are some good or meaningful ways to comfort or help others? Looking back, what kind of help would have been really helpful to you?
Action step: If you went through a loss, but your scars have not yet completely healed, I encourage you to find / join a support group or find a good therapist so that you can find healing before trying to help others.
Action step: Let’s keep our eyes open and be ready to help others.
God cares for me
Jesus said:
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?f Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:29–31 (BSB)
David wrote:
Your loving devotion, O LORD, reaches to the
heavens,
Your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the highest
mountains;
Your judgments are like the deepest sea.
O LORD, You preserve man and beast.
7 How precious is Your loving devotion,
O God,
that the children of men take refuge
in the shadow of Your wings!Psalm 36:5–7 (BSB)
Point: Whatever trouble I am facing right now God knows it.
Point: I am valuable to God; I don’t need to be afraid.
Question: What does Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:29-31 teach about God’s character?
Application
1) Think about your past and the troubles you have faced. Based on your experience who could you help?
2) If you are still hurting, please give time and space for you to heal before helping others. I encourage you to find a support group or a good therapist to help you heal.
3) Be wise how and when to help. Think about your past and what kind of help you wish others would have given you? Also be wise and think if helping someone would but you (physically or mentally) in danger or would put you into a temptation and damage your marriage.
For example, to protect marriages we have a rule that we can do counseling to someone of the opposite gender once but after that we refer them to someone else that is the same gender as they are.
4) Are you currently struggling with loss or pain?
I pray that God will give you comfort you need. You can ask God to comfort you, you can reach out to us and send a prayer request here. Also, I highly encourage to share your burden with someone who is close to you and who you can trust.
Text: Micah
Scripture quotations.
There are many good English Bible translations that are easy to read and understand such as New International Version® (NIV®) and New Living Translation (NLT). In this page we have chosen to use Berean Standard Bible since the text is available in public domain.
Scripture quotations marked (BSB) are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
You can read NIV® for free here.