The God of All Comfort

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Cor. 1:3-4.

Last month I was sick with a bad case of the flu. It wiped out my Christmas, exhausted me and made me more sensitive to the difficulties our patients and caregivers experience. More than anything I wanted to be left alone, but, at the same time, I wanted to know I wasn’t alone. I wanted the comfort that comes from knowing someone was there to help me if I needed it.

Allow yourself a minute to think with me. When you hear the word comfort, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s a hot cup of cocoa on a snowy, wintry day, or you might recall the thoughts of a good friend who listens with his heart. Maybe for you comfort means a well-deserved vacation. Comfort makes us feel cared for, peaceful, and helps us know we’re not alone.

The Apostle Paul knew all too well what it feels like to be in need of comfort. He gives a litany of his experiences for the sake of the Gospel, and these are not like most of our experiences. Paul’s persecutions include three times being ship-wrecked, danger from bandits, danger in the wilderness, hardship, hunger and thirst, sleeplessness, and beatings with rods, whips, and floggings. What a life! I think you’ll agree that Paul knew the very essence of God’s awesome comfort!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles . . .” Can you feel the ring of eternal truth in these words penned by the Apostle Paul? It almost seems as if he’s singing it out for all to hear. “The God of all comfort comforts you!” The God of all comfort comforts me! Say it to yourself. Memorize it. Keep these powerful words in your heart and mind.

Suffering with a severe case of the flu is nothing like being in the thick of a long-term battle with cancer. Yet, just as I needed comfort from God, so do you. Reach out to him. He is faithful to comfort you, to send you comforters, and to bring a comforting word to you. May the God of all comfort, comfort you in all your troubles. Amen!

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