Happy Thursday 🙂 I am blessed to be a part of a group of bloggers to share some encouragement from God’s Word on a weekly basis! And let’s be honest, by the time Thursdays roll around we could all use a little bit of encouragement!
Today I am sharing:
“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 (NIV)
Have you ever felt down and out, unable to get out of a pit in your life? I certainly have. The further I come in my walk with the Lord, the more I am able to see that the struggles and trials I go through in this life not only teach me about my true dependence on God, but they also equip me to be a comfort to others. God is our ultimate comfort, but He has also provided us with fellowship through the Church so that we can be a comfort to one another in need.
In my early adult life I went through quite the ringer emotionally. The love and encouragement that I received from my closest friends is something that sticks with me still today. (Sometimes I laugh because I open my mouth and out comes my friends). Because of their outpouring of love to me, I am now able to take that same encouragement and share it with others. It’s not to say that I felt that way all along. If I’m being honest, there were times that I felt “yeah right,” in my mind. But as the Bible says in Isaiah 55:11, God’s Word won’t return void. To this day, if I find myself struggling with any of the same or similar thoughts, immediately my mind goes to the verses that were shared with me to battle the lies Satan tries to put into my head.
It is encouraging to me to meditate on the fact that God is “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.” Despite what the world may try to say today, God knows this life is rough. He doesn’t stick us in this world and let us “duke it out until the end.” He walks along side of us and even carries us in our weakest moments. (I’m currently picturing the “Footprints” poem). Reading God’s word and being in prayer grows our relationship with Him and directs our paths in life. Being in fellowship with others can also help build and encourage our walk with the Lord.
Jesus himself came as a man and was tempted and struggled as a man. He walked this life and experienced the hardships of what it’s like in this world. He experienced what it’s like to have his friends abandon him in his greatest time of need. He felt hunger, pain, mockery, abuse, slander, etc. He comforts us knowing what it feels like to be in pain (both physical and emotional). He not only sees our struggles, he understands. He has compassion over us and reaches out to us with his love.
If you’re in a pit and need some encouragement from the Father today, I want to encourage you to open the Word and pray. Call a friend who is a believer and ask them to talk and pray with you. The contact tab on my page can be used anytime and I am more than happy to pray for you as well. We were not promised an easy, pain-free life, but we are promised God’s comfort and presence through our pain when we are trusting and leaning on Him. I will end with John 16:33 and hope that the comfort from Jesus will give you the strength you need to overcome your struggles. “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Thanks for stopping by and hope you have a blessed Thursday!
Now, it’s your turn!
What Biblical verse is encouraging you today?
And, check out more Thursday Encouragement from my fellow blogger friends:
Nicole @ Christian Fiction Girl
Trisha @ Joy of Reading
Jacquelyn @ A Heavenly Home
Jessica @ A Baker’s Perspective
If you would like to join us: please contact Trisha or Nicole
I love this. What a great idea!
Amen!!
You share such a good point, Becca. None of us are islands braving the world in isolation. We need the fellowship of brothers and sisters in Christ, especially during the tough times.
Yes! This is a great post – and all of our posts really compliment each other today. Thank you God for that divine intervention. And thank you for such an encouraging post. Welcome to the team 🙂
So true – He understands ❤
A great verse this week, Becca! I love the reminder that I get comfort from God so I need to comfort others. It’s a great cycle of love and compassion.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful verse today, Becca! It is such a blessing to be part of a community of believers. To be able to give comfort and to receive comfort.