Do You Pass on God’s Comfort to Others?
“These double calamities have come upon you—who can comfort you?— ruin and destruction, famine and sword—who can console you?” Isa. 51:19
During the past several years it seems like our country has faced tragedy after tragedy. With TV, Internet, and cell phones, we’re bombarded with devastation and despair nearly daily. How many floods, mud slides, fires, hurricanes, gigantic snow and ice storms, tornados, earthquakes, shootings, plane crashes, and freeway pile-ups can we take before we simply start to lose heart? We can debate endlessly about why these things happen, but the bottom line is simply this: God wants to use tragedy to draw us closer to Him.
Col. Mike Anderson looked at life with a unique spiritual insight. As you may recall, he was one of those lost on the re-entry of the Columbia space shuttle in 2003 and the second African-American astronaut. From Spokane Washington, he attended a little Baptist church. Through the years, we have heard a great deal about this man’s rich spiritual heritage and abiding faith. God has used Mike’s story to touch thousands of lives.
Prior to going on the Columbia mission, his pastor asked him if he was ever frightened about venturing into outer space. Mike said, “If something were to happen in space I’m just that much closer to God…instead of coming down, I’ll just be going up to my home in Glory.” That is the kind of attitude and assurance God wants us to have.
His death was a great loss to his family, friends, and this nation. His family has not only been comforted, but over the years, they have used this tragedy and their great faith to comfort others. The Apostle Paul reminds us: “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… If 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.” 2 Cor. 1:3–4, 6
One reason God allows tragedy to interrupt our lives is so that He can comfort us. Once we have dealt with our hurt, He will bring someone across our path that we can comfort. This is part of God’s strategy in maturing us and spreading the Good News of salvation. God is in the business of developing comforters. The best comforter is one who has struggled with pain or sorrow of some sort and has emerged from that experience victorious. It is a very poor comforter who has never needed comforting.
Let’s go out and comfort those who do not yet know of our loving and merciful God. Pass it on!
The Power of Truth:
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matt. 5:4
“Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.” Isa. 491:13
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Gal. 6:2
Suggestion for Prayer:
Thank the Lord for His comfort when you’re faced with tragedy, and ask Him to show you opportunities to comfort others.