The reason I can offer comfort to others starts with this principle of God:

Which leads to:

2 Corinthians 1   

Comfort in Suffering

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. 

I have been through deep waters of trouble and tribulation: abused at age 7 by my brother’s friend, lost my father to heart attack when 11, suffered migraine headaches from age 15, lost virginity at 16  (connected with upsets ages 7 & 11), pregnant at 18 (also connected to 7 & 11) , married at 18 years +6 weeks, 4 children born 2-5 weeks before their due dates (4 babies in less than 5 years), miscarriage after 4th child. Mononucleosis during deer hunting season, breast lumpectomies, marital problems, Mom died, breast cancer & radiation, …and the list goes on.  (I’m sure you’ve got many trials of your own you could list as well)

 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us,

so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 

Yes, I have found my consolation in Christ, it has abounded through brothers and sisters in the Faith, family, friends and neighbors.  

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.

The Word of God in the Bible has been my consolation as I have suffered.  The Word shows me how Christ suffered for my benefit and how the Apostles also testified to suffering and afflictions similar to mine.  If we truly belong to Christ Jesus, we will suffer as He and His followers throughout the generations have been afflicted and suffered.  Those being persecuted in our time count it a privilege to share in the sufferings of Christ, as Paul did, being counted worthy to belong to Him.

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.

I have found fellowship amongst fellow sufferers and been able to share my experiences to help comfort and encourage others.  None of this would have been possible if I’d not first experienced those who brought comfort to me from the comfort they themselves had received. I’m not down and out due to pressures and stress; I’m an over-comer through the victory and love I’ve found in Christ Jesus!

This is a photo from my travels to church.  The 20 minute drive gives me time to watch the sky in fascination.  I give praise to the Father for the glory of the Lord that’s on display for those who choose to look.  This scene reminds me of when Jacob saw the steps ascending up to heaven the night he lay his head upon a stone to rest when he was fleeing from Esau. Here I can envision the angels ascending and descending!

God’s love is written all across the sky – it’s His billboard!  I encourage you to contemplate the comfort you’ve been blessed with and also think about what you’ve been through that can help others in their trials.   I urge you to look up; His love is written all across the sky!