Comfort

It's amazing that when God comforts us through a struggle in our life, He opens our eyes to others around us who are struggling and need comfort, too. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 it states, "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 affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

I've witnessed this verse firsthand. As God has comforted me through my brother's death these past few weeks, I've been able to share His comfort with others around me who are in pain.

I promised a friend that I would post a few quotes from some books that I've been reading that have helped comfort me...

The best part of heaven is that we'll be with our bridegroom, Jesus. Second best? We'll be with our family and friends who know God. That's why, when Christian loved ones die, God tells us not to grieve like those who have no hope, but to comfort and encourage each other by anticipating the ultimate family reunion (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). That's why heaven should mean more to us every time a friend moves there. --In Light of Eternity, p. 9

Heaven is not here, it's There. If we were given all we wanted here, our hearts would settle for this world rather than the next. God is forever luring us up and away from this one, wooing us to Himself and His still invisible Kingdom, where we will certainly find what we so keenly long for. --Keep a Quiet Heart, p. 28

(This next quote brought a smile to my face because of THIS POEM that was read at my brother's funeral. The two seem to go hand-in-hand, don't you think?)

What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Creator calls a butterfly. As humanity we see only the imperfect, underside of God's tapestry of our lives. What we judge to be tragic--the most dreaded thing that could happen, I expect we'll one day see as the awesome reason for the beauty and uniqueness of our life and our family. I think that's why James 1:2 is a favorite verse of mine. Phillips' translation put it this way: "When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers, don't resent them as intruders but welcome them as friends." --Keep a Quiet Heart, pp. 29-30