The Source of All Comfort       

Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 NLT – God Offers Comfort to All – All praise – Bible Gateway

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT

The apostle Paul began his second letter to the church in Corinth by declaring God is merciful and the source of all comfort. As much as we try to comfort others, we will never succeed as God does. God is the source of all comfort, meaning comfort (to soothe in distress or sorrow) is given best by comforter Himself, God. Sometimes God will use an agent like us to comfort others. Discernment is key in knowing when and how to approach one in need of comfort. For that, it is essential we are walking in step with God and in prayer for His guidance.

One of the essential tools the Lord will have us use is our own experience in being comforted by God when we were in distress. It wasn’t pleasant at the time, and not pleasant now as we think back on it, but it can be used to bring comfort to one suffering at the moment. God has comforted us so we can in turn comfort others. When God shows His mercy and grace upon us through our bad times it’s hard for others not to notice. But there will always be some who do not notice or may have no knowledge of your past troubles, as they deal with their own anguish. That is why you need to share with the one who is suffering just as you were. They need the comfort you received as you tell your story and point them to the source of all comfort, the Lord God.

Understandably, there are things you would rather not share. I get it. That is why a close relationship with the God of all comfort is vital to know what to share, how to share, and when to share how God comforted you during those days. He is the source of all comfort, and you already experienced that. Trust Him to guide you in providing comfort to others.