Writer’s block will wear you out. During a recent bout with it, everything I wrote ended with the electronic equivalent of throwing a crumpled sheet of paper into the ol’ “circular file” (trash can). Any hint of an idea died on the page before I could finish the first paragraph. My brain swam in circles every time my fingers touched the computer keys.
As I struggled, an imaginary clock ticked in my mind. Its steady rhythm seemed to say: deadline . . . deadline . . . deadline. Finally, I started to think about the situation from a spiritual perspective. Some words penned by Paul came to mind: “[God] comforts us in all our troubles” (2 Corinthians 1:4).
I realize that a persistent case of creative numbness isn’t the worst problem possible. Still, it’s reassuring to know that God’s brand of comfort covers every kind of issue we might encounter—big or small, ongoing or temporary, physical or spiritual (2 Corinthians 1:3).
While it’s great to remember that God’s reassuring love can reach us anywhere, in any situation (Romans 8:38-39), His comfort has a purpose beyond our comfortableness. God wants us to recycle His loving comfort and redistribute it to other people! “When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (2 Corinthians 1:4). This verse encourages me to look for other believers who have fallen into the same potholes I’ve encountered up close and personal. It begs me to speak openly about my struggles instead of pridefully pretending I’m a superwoman. It gives new meaning to difficult days.
So here I am, writing this message to you—proving that God helps His children when they’re frustrated, confused, or worn down. “The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in Him” (Nahum 1:7).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Hebrews 11:1-40
More:
Read Isaiah 43:1-2 to hear a comforting message from God to His people. Read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 to see how the power of Jesus consoles believers in Him.
Next:
How can you recycle God’s help and support in your life? Why does God want you to pass on His comfort to other people?
gs8734 on December 17, 2011 at 4:10 am
A timely Word from the Lord!!! As I reflect on 2011 and look to 2012, I am nearly overwhelmed by the issues I have faced in the past and that await me in the future. However, this devotion helps me put things in perspective by reminding me that nothing I have faced, including my failures, nor anything I will face is beyond God’s capacity to comfort me so I then will have the capacity and compassion to comfort others.
I am now challenged to seek out others that are facing issues I have faced so I can comfort them. The most obvious to me is for me and my wife to reconcile and rebuild our marriage so we can comfort others whose marriages have been as strained as ours. Thank you, Jennifer, for this timely devotional!
jennifer benson schuldt on December 17, 2011 at 2:47 pm
Greetings and blessings, gs8734!
My prayer for you is that God would give you and your wife a share of His grace so that your family will be strong once more. This is possible with Him (Mark 10:27)! He can use the pain of emotional struggles, uncertainty, and conflict to show the power of His healing–and ultimately to help other people through your example.
Thanks for taking the time to post your comment!
winn collier on December 20, 2011 at 5:24 pm
“a comfort beyond our comfortableness” – thanks for that. Seems like the writer’s block broke free.