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| Created for Relationship with God, all
people everywhere and creation itself Called to Equip people to Serve by Growing Disciples of Jesus Christ |
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Devotion
for March 5 by Pat Benoy
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any troubles with the comfort we ourselves have received form God. John 16:33 (New Living Translation) I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. If we allow Him, God works through each of us. Many times throughout my life in times of trouble or stress I have been blessed by the action of family, friends and sometimes strangers. People may think that God comforts us and our hardships go away. If that were so, people would turn to God only to be relieved of pain and not out of love for God. Real comfort can also mean receiving strength, encouragement, and hope to deal with our hardships. The trials and sorrow we endure can equip us to minister to other suffering similar hardships. I had a close relationship with my mother. My brother and I traveled a very difficult two-year journey with her after she was diagnosed with cancer. This was a stressful time for my husband, my children and myself. With the continuous love and support I received from others, I was able to endure my personal struggles and also provide support to my mother in her time of need. Loving and gracious God, equip us to comfort others during their times of trial and sorrow. Thank you for the peace Jesus brings to our hearts. Amen. |