June 4 - Bless Others Through Your Crisis

Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Context: Beginning of Paul's letter to the Corinthians who had been infiltrated by false teachers who challenged both Paul's personal integrity and his authority as an apostle (NIV Study Bible)

Text:
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6If 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. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Whenever I read this verse I find it hopeful. Maybe whatever thing I'm going through at the time has a purpose -- so I can be helpful to someone else in the future. That doesn't always kick me out of a pity party, but at least it allows me to find some reason for a difficult situation in a world that doesn't make much sense. But yesterday as we read this verse out loud, I noticed verse 6, "if we are distressed it is for your comfort and salvation, if we are comforted it is for your comfort."

Do you see that any trial Paul went through and any comfort he received were BOTH for the comfort of others? In any difficulty we face we have the opportunity to comfort others - in the moment, not years down the road.

How can you comfort others when you are in crisis? Think back to a time when you were able to do something tangible for another person who was having trouble. You may have taken food to a family with a newborn or who had undergone surgery. Or perhaps you helped someone move or deal with a financial crisis. Maybe you gave a hug and an encouraging word at just the right time. Most likely, while you were helping out you also received a blessing. Not from a perspective of 'gee, aren't I great for helping out', but from knowing that you were able to make a difference for someone else at a difficult time.

Most of us want to be strong through crisis and handle everything ourselves, but God wants to provide comfort to us and to those who want to help us. So don't only help others when they are in crisis, but accept help yourself when you are in crisis. By saying 'yes' to an offer of help instead of saying 'thanks, but we're fine', you may be allowing God to comfort you and the person who offers you help!