The comfort you received, offer to others

Romans 5:3-5 (CEB)

But not only that! We even take pride in our problems, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. 

I believe that a lot of scriptures give us only part of the story and beg the question, “To what end?” This very familiar passage from Romans is a prime example for me. It brings to mind someone who works out to get stronger physically. Weight produces resistance and resistance builds strength and strength produces a more fit and healthy body. But to what end? To admire in the mirror or to put to work, better able to accomplish tasks? 

So to what end does trouble produce endurance and endurance produce character and hope? To admire in our spiritual mirror for how strong we have become? No, I believe Paul provides us an answer in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4...

3 May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed! He is the compassionate Father and God of all comfort. 4 He’s the one who comforts us in all our trouble so that we can comfort other people who are in every kind of trouble. We offer the same comfort that we ourselves received from God. 

In Romans we read that trouble produces endurance, character, and hope. In 2 Corinthians we read that in this trouble, God also provides us comfort. The endurance, character, and hope equip us to “comfort other people who are in every kind of trouble. We offer the same comfort that we ourselves received from God.” 

Have you endured the grief of losing a loved one and been able to move on to hope? Offer the comfort that you received from God to others facing that same grief. Have you navigated the recovery from financial woes, or overcome the pain of losing a job or a relationship? You are equipped with comfort and hope to help others facing the same problems.

I believe that every trouble we endure equips us and should compel us to offer the strength and comfort we have acquired to others. In this way we build up others so that they, in turn, can offer the same comfort that we ourselves received from God. 

Are you looking for a gift that you can offer to others? What trouble have you endured that, in the end, made you stronger? What a precious gift you have to share! 

Prayer:

Father God, we are forever grateful for your presence and comfort you have offered to us in times of our own troubles. Let us be always willing and eager to share that same comfort to our neighbors. Amen

This devotional was written and read by Charlie Barton.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. 

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