God of all Comfort

What a wonderful God we have - he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we undergo sufferings for Christ, the more he will shower us with his comfort and encouragement. We are in deep trouble for bringing you God's comfort and salvation. But in our trouble God has comforted us - and this too, to help you: to show you from our personal experience how God will tenderly comfort you when you undergo these same sufferings. He will give you the strength to endure. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (TLB)

Martha J, Morris lives in Tennessee. Her first chemotherapy session took 10 hours in a room with about 20 other patients. In addition to the comfort her faith gave her, the kindness the other patients showed her on that first day was a real lesson in the fruit of the Spirit.

One woman, Linda, had been fighting cancer for a long time. When a nurse came to explain that her therapy had not been approved and that she would have to come back yet another day. Linda gave the nurse an exhausted smile. With kindness and patience Linda said, "I understand. Things happen." Linda gathered her blanket and cane, preparing to leave. As she passed Martha, something - maybe the fear on her face - led her to come over and give Martha the bracelet she was wearing. She said, "I hope these two verses from Second Corinthians comfort you as they have me."

While spending time in the hospital, doctors' offices, treatment centers, operating rooms, and her home, Martha could look back and see Linda's face as she gifted her with scripture. Though she had suffered much, she took the time to reach out and comfort Martha. Martha never saw Linda again, but she felt the need to share her story and the gift of comfort God gave Martha through her.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the people you send to us in our times of need and for the comfort they offer. May we, in turn, be faithful to comfort others, in Jesus' name. Amen.