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. (2 Cor. 1:4)
Have you ever traveled on an aircraft with a small child? If so, you have probably noted that one of the flight attendants’ instructions is about adjusting your own oxygen mask, if needed, before helping a child. The reasoning is that you can best help someone else when you are in a good place yourself. I think this is a great analogy for being comforted through answered prayer. God comforts us in our troubles so that we are able to comfort others.
When I pray, I am usually thinking of the relief I will receive from whatever I am facing, rather than how an answer to my prayer will help me comfort others. Earlier today in a staff meeting someone mentioned receiving a favorable response during Prayer Fellowship, in a situation where the person had struggled for a long time. Through perseverance and much pain, they finally saw the hand of God. Someone else in the chapel who was on the brink of giving up, but hearing the victorious outcome made them pause and believe there could be light for their darkness.
Being comforted by someone else’s story is good medicine. We all need to hear good news in the midst of trials. Many of us have good news to share that others are waiting for. I don’t always think to share the many times I have prayed and believed for difficult times to pass. To me, it has always been a part of the cycle of praying. As we pray, God hears and God answers.
Although we don’t always have the words to relieve someone’s pain, we can always share how we have been comforted. If we keep in mind that we are blessed to be a blessing, I think we can understand the true role we play in someone else’s life.
Once we are comforted, we have a great opportunity to put a smile on a fellow traveler’s face. It is like giving them an oxygen mask. Take the challenge and be a blessing.
God bless you!
