The God of All Comfort

There is hope in knowing that no matter what crosses our path we have the promise that God himself will comfort us in ALL circumstances. If we are his children there is nothing we face while here on this earth too big for our God. It has been asked so many times before how can a loving God allow suffering, hurt, disappointment, sickness and even death to come into our lives? Some ask how can God allow an innocent child to be diagnosed with a terminal illness or the faithful young mother to be killed in a car wreck coming home from church; Leaving behind a husband and young children? We have all read about tragic events presently in the news concerning Haiti or experienced personal sorrow. There are times we might ask God why only to find the answers we come up with seem few. In our humanity, it is perplexing when we try to use reason and logic to rationalize why particular circumstances take place. I know that I can’t even come close to being able to explain the reasons why events happen. I have to believe in those circumstances that God, the creator of the universe is much larger than I am and only He has the answers to those questions. His purposes are greater than my knowledge and understanding. However, I do have some answers from His word when it comes to what to do when you or someone you love is in the midst of a storm.
First of all, God’s word is living and active ( Hebrews 4:12). I can not tell you how many times in my life while experiencing a painful trial I flipped open my Bible and there right on the page the exact word I needed for that particular moment. Or a time when I read a verse that changed the way I viewed my circumstance and made an impact on the way I made a decision. God’s Word is complete truth, comfort, enduring and eternal. For the believer it is our weapon, our sword in battle ( Eph 6:17).
Prayer is an essential tool in everyday life. When things are going great or in times of great need prayer is crucial. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:16b). Prayer offered in faith changes circumstances and brings understanding in situations as in accordance with the will of God.
Seek God’s will for your life and situation. Surrender to him in obedience all of you including your circumstances. One of my all time favorite chapters is Romans 12. This chapter urges us to become living sacrifices for God’s purposes. By becoming living sacrifices, not conforming to the pattern of this world and renewing our mind it is then where we are able to test and approve what God’s will is.
Stand firm. Endure the trial with perseverance. James 1:12 says, “ Blessed is the man ( or woman) who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, He will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”…Yes! that is our future hope.
Trust that God himself will comfort you in all trouble.
2 Corinthians 1:3 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.
We have a hope beyond our life here in this present age. In this present age we are surrounded by suffering, illness, painful situations and death. This has come into our lives as a direct result of the fall of man. (Genesis 3). Don’t you know the God of compassion looks at us and hurts for us. He does…And he has given us an eternal hope through his precious son Jesus. He conquered death for us. It is God’s plan to restore the creation that includes us!!
2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our Light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
See what is to come!
Revelation 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, For the old order of things has passed away. He who is seated on the throne said, ” I am making everything new."