“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
COMFORTING ANOTHER IS ONE of the great missing elements in the Christian community’s perspective on seeking forgiveness. Typically we would advise to forgive—or seek forgiveness—and move on. Get over it! While forgiveness reestablishes the relationship, it does not take away the hurt. It only brings partial healing. Comfort is the only means to true healing.
Confession and forgiveness are critical in healing but are not the final steps. We can confess and seek forgiveness but still leave the offended party with lingering hurt. Comforting the hurting one is crucial to gain full healing. This comfort comes from God directly or indirectly through people.
Comfort is expressed in word and touch. If possible, and as appropriate, touch or hold the offended party and express that you care, that you hurt because they are hurting. Identify with the hurt. Words and actions communicate “I care,” “I identify,” “I hurt that you are hurting,” “I am here,” “I accept you.” Have the courage to express them. This is especially crucial in a marriage setting.
As we comfort others and if we are comforted, the true healing takes place. The real blessing is that ministry flows out of this. We can comfort others with the comfort we have been comforted with by God. He replaces the pain with a ministry and a building up of others.
God does not waste the pain.
“To derive the fullest comfort and encouragement from Romans 8:28 we must realize that God is at work in a proactive, not reactive, fashion. That is, God does not just respond to an adversity in our lives to make the best of a bad situation. He knows before He initiates or permits the adversity exactly how He will use it for our good.” — Jerry Bridges
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Purchase the Entire Devotional – “Experiencing Christ as Life and Leader”
The devotion above was taken from the 52-week Devotional entitled “Experiencing Christ as Life and Leader”.
Many give a mental assent to this teaching yet are often asking, “What do I do? What does Christ as life look like?“ Too often Christians err by moving too far to one side or the other—reducing the Christian life to a list of do’s and don’ts, or they actually do nothing.
These inspiring weekly devotions are just some of the actions that reflect the life of Christ in each of us, and they explore four areas as we follow the One Leader, Jesus Christ –
- A Foundational Focus
- A Personal Focus
- A Relational Focus
- A Missional Focus
Be challenged, encouraged, and spurred on to a deeper walk with Christ.
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