The God of All Comfort

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 have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. II Corinthians 1:3-7

Last evening as I was going through the bedtime routine with Erin I read the Scripture above(verses 3-4)from a devotional book, "Every Teen Girl's Little Pink Book." As I read the Scripture aloud to her I began to weep uncontrollably. At that moment, I didn't understand why it hit me so deeply. I definitely was at a physically and emotionally weakened state by day end. A few hours before this, Rob had emptied the drainage tube attached to my chest. It was clogged more than ususal, so he had to work harder to get the fluid pushed through the tube. When we go through this necessary procedure, it often causes a burning sensation that makes me feel light headed and whoozy - this time I nearly fainted.

As I reread the Scripture this morning,I realized I experienced comfort from God at a whole new level last night. It was as though He was saying to me, "Daughter, come to Me in your weakened, discouraged state. It's ok to cry. I know you better than anyone else. I am your Father. I know exactly how you feel - even when no one else understands. I do. Come to Me. Weep with Me. I share in your suffering. I am your comfort. I know you are used to encouraging others, but right now you are to receive compassion and mercy from Me and others, so that you can give it again in My name. Receive this gift with grace."

Rob and I have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of encouragement in so many forms - cards, emails, meals, phone calls, visits, comfort food, flowers, gifts, hugs, prayers....all of these are examples of God's comfort being poured out in abundance. Jesus, you know exactly what we need and when we need it. Thank you, for being the God ALL comfort to us. Set our hope firmly on You - each new day.