Wednesday; July 5

Have you ever been filled with angst then, all of a sudden, someone comes and offers assistance?  Maybe it was being worried about something and someone provided an insightful word of advice.  It could have been struggling with our children, then a trusted friend offered to help us (either they providing us respite or words of wisdom).  Maybe it was facing uncertain future and a righteous person came along and prayed with us.  No matter the situation, most of us have been wound up about something when, just at the right time, someone else provided us with exactly what we needed to alleviate the tension.  While these interventions can be viewed as God-sends, have you ever thought why we received that blessing?  The most obvious answer is that the assistance was something we needed at the moment, but there maybe something else – could it be that we were being prepared for the future?  The Apostle Paul reminds us, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”.  (II Corinthians 1:3-4)  Is it possible that we received the gift so that we can pass it on to others?
Do we know someone who is stressed?  We may not be able to solve their problem, but we can offer them comfort.  No, it might not be easy to walk with them through their struggles, but we have all had people wade through the muck of our lives to help us.  Are we willing to honor their blessing by paying it forward?

Think About It!

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