THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT

2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-4 NKJ 
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. 

This phrase just stood out to me, the God of all comfort.   

I looked up this word to see how it is used biblically.  Sometimes words take on different usage over the years.  Comfort, to some, may be a pat on the back or a feel-good activity, such as comfort food.   

Here the meaning is stronger.  Comfort is to help, encourage, strengthen and establish.  It's not a passive word but an active, strong one.   

The word comfort can also indicate the opposite of tribulation and suffering.  The reason I am amplifying this definition is because we need to be clear on who is bringing the suffering and agony and heartache in our lives and who is bringing help.   

Too often, people have attributed a difficult situation that caused hurt and discouragement to God.  Making God the author of everything bad will confuse your heart.   

If you believe God brought sickness, destruction, depression, or any other toxic thing into your life, then where are you going to go for comfort.  If God is causing the hurt, who is there to help?   

But if you believe He is good extremely good, the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our troubles, then you have a strong basis for faith, for an expectation that by His comfort, His strength, and help, you are coming out of these difficult times.   

And there is a further application to being comforted by God, your ability to then comfort others.  God comforts us then we are able to bring comfort to others.  We become an extension of God's comfort in the earth.  The goodness and blessings of God are never intended to stop with us.  They are designed for us to not just be blessed but be a blessing to others.   

APPLICATION 

I have seen God's comfort over and over in others.  God helped someone with a sickness or a relationship problem, an addiction, or a pressure-packed situation.  Then they become a comfort to people dealing with similar problems.  I've seen Joy comfort others regarding healing; me offer comfort to people dealing with anxiety and depression. Both of us comfort people undergoing marriage problems.  God comforted, helped us, and now we are able to offer comfort.  Where has God comforted you?  That's a place where you can comfort others.   

PRAYER 

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for being the God of all comfort.  Thank You for comforting me and showing me how I can comfort others.