Why?

And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:7 NIV)

I have a dear friend whose daughter is going through a lot of suffering right now. It seems like every time they turn around another life-trial greets them. It always leads to that age old question: why is there suffering in the world? Christians are not immune to it and seem to suffer life's calamities equally with non Christians. So why? Only God can answer in each case. I read these comments from a Billy Graham devotional:

“You do not need to study the Scriptures long to learn why sinners meet reverses and anguish. They are apart from God. Their sorrow is the result of their sins. But—why do Christians suffer? Scripture teaches that many Christians suffer so that they may fellowship with others who are in affliction. Only those who have known sorrow and suffering can have fellowship with those in affliction. The Word of God also teaches that Christians suffer in order that they might glorify God in their lives.The Bible further teaches that Christians suffer in order that God might teach them lessons in prayer. Also, Christians suffer in order that God might bring them to repentance."

I thought that was a great list of reasons. I also know that God never let's us suffer alone. He sends his angels and he himself will stay by our side during tough times. I know that to be true. All we have to do is turn to him. He will comfort us and he will bring us through better than before. Praise God for his love and comfort!

Sharing comfort!

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 receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 NIV)

It's been 13 years since my fathers journey to Heaven. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was and still is such a great loss in our family. Since that day, I have had the opportunity to attend many funerals. Recently, I attended the viewing of a father of one of my students. It was a sudden loss and the devastation was intense for this family. I understood what they were going through. My Dad suffered a debilitating stroke. A month ago I made a hospital visit to a family that eventually lost their mother from a sudden stroke. I understood what they were going through. I have had plenty trouble in my life. I would not wish pain on anyone. God feels our pain. He knows what it's like to lose a son. He stands with us and comforts us when we go through troubles in life. We can use those experiences to comfort others including those that don't know Jesus. Those who do not call themselves Christians need special comfort. Sometimes our greatest witness to the lost comes from our ability to comfort them.

As troubles come in your life, you have two choices. You can either turn your hurt and loss inward or you can turn to Christ for comfort and compassion. If you can accept the comfort from the Son of God, you will have the opportunity to pass that support to someone else. It is a wonderful gift to pass on.

God hear the prayers of the weak!

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. (Psalm 53:1 NIV)

Who is they? We are the "they" of this verse. As a Christian with the confidence where I'm going, it would be easy to be pompous. I could always refer to "they" as those sinners who have not committed to Jesus. But, I have to constantly remind myself that I am not as great as I think I am. I am a part of THEY. Today brought that to my attention.

I was called on to visit a family whose mother is near death in a Fort Wayne Hospital. They asked me to pray for the mother like I was someone special. I'm not. I felt so inadequate. Yet, I do know someone who has the complete power to heal . They were so gracious and worried about there mother. We prayed for a miracle. We prayed for healing and I know the power of my savior. I know if it is in his will, he will heal this woman. Yet, I also know his will is perfect and he does not always choose to heal here on Earth. I just don't understand,but I love him and I know he is in charge. His ways are beyond me and I'm more than okay with that. In my narrow vision, I would love to see a complete healing that will bring a Glory to God and this family to its knees. It's ideal, I know. But God says to bring it all to him, so I did and do again tonight.

I also have one of my early spiritual mentors fighting a brain tumor. This man has brought so many to know Jesus. He counseled my wife and I as we were teenagers planning to marry. He and his lovely wife brought me through my teen years and were key in the development of my relationship with God. This wonderful, God filled man was also instrumental in the early faith of my own children. I feel so powerless in calling on Jesus for him.

Dear Lord, please hear my prayer. I ask for healing for this woman and Ted for your Glory, for your purposes and for your kingdom. I pray your love will be revealed through this entire situation that these family members would draw nearer to you. I pray for the doctors, surgeons, nurses and hospital staff that you will guide the treatment and miracle healing. I praise you God for your power, mercy and love. I love you and trust you. Thank you Jesus for loving this terribly inadequate person and making something out of nothing in my life. Amen!

Comfort for my Brother!

2 Corinthians 1

 ³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. ⁵ For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. ⁶ 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. ⁷ And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

I've never been without a job. I was thinking of that a few days ago while I was watching the news. The news channel was talking about the unemployed who have given up. We are hovering at 8% unemployment in the U.S. Yet, those numbers don't come close to speaking the truth. They don't tell about the millions of Americans who have given up looking for work. It doesn't tell about the UNDER employed, those who are working in jobs just to earn any amount of money because unemployment has run out. I'm almost embarrassed that I haven't ever been without work. I want so bad to extend comfort and hope to those people who can not find fulfilling and meaningful employment.  Why am I the lucky one and they aren't? 

I have a brother who is in this situation. My brother is a smart guy. He is a talented Christian man who cares deeply for people. He is and always has been a hard worker. He has degrees and education that are well beyond the average person. Yet, he is grossly under-employed. I want so bad to comfort him. I want so bad to be able to fix things for him. I don't want him to HAVE to receive comfort. I want him to get beyond the suffering he is going through. My experience doesn't give me any authority or credibility to comfort. I can't say I know what he's going through. I can't give him the hope that "this too will pass". But, I know someone who can. ....... the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles,.........

I feel grossly under-qualified to know what my own brother is going through and has been suffering for years. Yet, God and our Lord Jesus know of his suffering beyond what I will ever comprehend. He was beaten and crucified for no reason. He didn't deserve it. But, he did it so he could comfort my brother through his suffering. Eventually, my brother will come through his suffering, even though he can't see the end. He has hope because of Jesus. Eventually, he will be able to share that hope from deep within his heart. He will be able to share that comfort and hope with someone else, because of Jesus. 

I don't want this to sound trite and weak. I truly believe God is preparing my brother for great things. He will be able to comfort like very few people have. God knows what he's going through and stands with him now and forever. Praise God he is the Lord of comfort and hope. Praise God he will see us through all trials and suffering. Praise God that he gave up his life so we might be comforted for all of eternity. 

Comfort is OK!

Psalm 30 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ⁸ To you, LORD, I called;
   to the Lord I cried for mercy: ⁹ “What is gained if I am silenced,
   if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
   Will it proclaim your faithfulness? ¹⁰ Hear, LORD, and be merciful to me;
   LORD, be my help.”
 ¹¹ You turned my wailing into dancing;
   you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, ¹² that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
   LORD my God, I will praise you forever.

Today was "Shorts Day" at school. We are having spirit days to celebrate our girls basketball team going to Regionals and one of our wrestlers going to the State Finals. I just love wearing shorts to work, even when the February temperatures are below freezing. I am so comfortable wearing shorts. It just affects my whole day. It is not very professional looking so I don't get to wear them very often. When school is out in the summer time and I come in, I get to be comfortable and wear shorts. The next best option is jeans. The faculty and staff have "Jeans Days" on Fridays. That is also a great day of comfort. It just seems like such a relaxing day and school atmosphere when we can dress in comfort.

I have times in my life when I am so relaxed and comfortable. I have times when things are going well and there is no crisis. These times don't happen often but they are very welcome and do happen regularly. I think these times are gifts from God.  It is just like removing your "sackcloth" and being clothed in joy. Sackcloth was not like a burlap sack as I vision. It was really an article of clothing made of coarse goat hair and it was uncomfortable. It usually was worn as a symbol of mourning and/or penitence. David is praising God for taking away his mourning, for taking away his discomfort and replacing it with joy.

We hear so much about how God is present through troubled times and how our faith grows during trials. It's true. But, I also think God can use great times to help us feel his presence and to just relax and enjoy the life he gives.

Dear Lord, Thank you so much for Joy in my life. Thank You for providing times of comfort, relaxation, and peace. You are an awesome God! Amen!

Walk don't Run!

Psalm 23 (New International Version, ©2010)

⁴ Even though I walk
   through the darkest valley,^[a]
I will fear no evil,
   for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
   they comfort me.


This passage of scripture has comforted more people over the years. It has been quoted (along with the rest of Psalm 23) at countless funerals. God has provided this scripture, through David, for the purpose of comfort.

If I were writing this scripture, I might have changed it to this: "Even while I am running through the darkest valley, I will be afraid of everything until I remember you are with me." I can't imagine WALKING through a valley of darkness. Just visualize walking through a cemetery all alone at night. Could you walk? Not me!

I wish my faith was stronger. I wish I could confidently "Walk" through trials in my life. But, I am more likely to run like a wild man from my trials. That's where the rod and the staff come into play. A shepherds rod and staff served two purposes. One was for defense, but the other purpose was for "discipline". Believe it or not, sheep don't always go where they are supposed to. (neither do we) Sometimes they need some more aggressive guidance. How true that is about me? Yes, even that is comforting. Once I have committed my life to the Lord and lean on him for direction, he will do it. Sometimes that rod and staff hurt. But, they are necessary. Our Shepherd will take whatever means necessary to keep us on the right path and he will do whatever he can to protect us from evil. He does it so we can walk through life with confidence, even through the toughest of trials and tribulations.

God is with us. He loves us. He is our comfort. He carries a powerful rod and staff, but he loves us like no one else can. Amen to that!