READ | 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
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 trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
IMAGINE
Recall a time that you were experiencing some form of worry, stress, or misfortune. What were you feeling in the moment you first realized that you had this trouble? What did you do? Did you reach out to someone? Were they able to address your difficulty?
Imagine what it would be like if God sat down next to you in the moment that you first realize that you have a problem. What would he say to you? How would you respond? God doesn’t always make our troubles go away; but he always is available to comfort us when we need it. All we need to do is stop and ask for his presence.
Imagine what it would be like to share that same type of comfort with the people around you when they have troubles. It could be anyone, your friends and family; maybe, even a coworker.
ASK
Spend a few moments in prayer. Ask God to be present with you when you are having troubles. Ask him to help you see when those around you need comforting. Just as God will be there when you need him, God will enable you to share the gift of “being there” for someone else.
Contributed by Craig Johnson, Spiritual Director