OUR DAILY BREAD : COMING ALONGSIDE

[cimi]

MONDAY AUGUST 24


COMING ALONGSIDE

READ:
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
__________________________________________________________________________________
Blessed be the God
and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ,...
who comforts us in
all our tribulation,
that we may be
able to comfort
those who are in
any trouble.
________________________________________________________________________________

When my sister Carole was diagnosed with breast cancer, our family worried. That diagnosis, with its surgeries and treatments, caused us to fear for her well-being, which drove our family to prayer on her behalf. Over the ensuing months, Carole's updates were honest about the challenges. But we all celebrated when the report came back that the surgery and treatments had been successful. Carole was on the road to recovery!

Then, less than a year later my sister Linda faced the same battle. Immediately, Carole came alongside Linda, helping her understand what to expect and how to prepare for what she would face. Carole's experience had equipped her to walk with Linda through her own trial.

This is what Paul calls for in 2 Corinthians 1:2-4, when we read, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Thankfully, the Lord doesn't waste anything. Our struggles not only give us an opportunity to experience His comfort, but they also open the door for us to share that comfort, but they also open the door for us to share that comfort with others in their struggles. __Bill Crowder

**Today, how can I be an encouragement to others whose hearts are
weighed down by the cares of life?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
God's presence brings us comfort; our presence brings others comfort.

**************************Today's Bible Reading __ 2 Corinthians 1:3-11*****************************

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be
able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the
comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as
the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also
abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your
consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the
same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted,
it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope for you
is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the
sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our
trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened
beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of
life. 9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we
should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,

10 who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us;
in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, 11 you also helping
together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many
persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
This passage demonstrates how our personal
pain can help others who suffer. Paul uses the word comfort
both vertically and horizontally. God extends comfort to us. We
experience His comfort. Then we can offer comfort to others.
In this way, our pain can become a conduit of care for those in
distress and lead to gratitude in the midst of pain. "Blessed be the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and
God of all comfort" (v.3). ___Dennis Fisher