Apr 21
Today’s Truth
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 our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NIV).
Friend to Friend
A store owner was tacking a sign in his store window, which read PUPPIES FOR SALE, when a little boy appeared.
“How much are you selling the puppies for?” he asked.
The man told the lad he didn’t expect to let any of them go for less than $50.
The boy reached in his pocket, pulled out some change, looked up at the store owner and said, “I have two dollars and thirty-seven cents. Can I look at them?”
The store owner smiled and whistled. From the kennel, a dog named Lady came running down the aisle, followed by five tiny balls of fur. One puppy lagged behind. Immediately, the little boy asked about the limping puppy.
“What’s wrong with that doggie?”
“The veterinarian told us the dog is missing a hip socket,” said the store owner. “He’ll always limp like that.”
“That’s the one I want to buy,” the lad said quickly.
The store owner replied, “No, you don’t want to buy that dog. If you really want him, I’ll just give him to you.”
The boy came close to the store owner’s face and said angrily, “I don’t want you to just give him to me. That doggie is worth just as much as all the other puppies and I’ll pay the full price. In fact, I’ll give you $2.37 now and $.50 a month until I have him paid for!”
The store owner replied, “No, no, no. You don’t want that dog. He’s never going to be able to run and jump and play like the other dogs.”
In response, the little boy pulled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted left leg, supported by two steel braces.
“Well, sir,” he said, “I don’t run so well myself and that puppy will need someone who understands.” (Story from Puppies for Sale and Other Inspirational Tales by Dan Clark)
In 2 Corinthians, Paul wrote: “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 our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV).
The Amplified version says verse 4 this way: “Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort (consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged) by God (AMPC).
It’s those words “so that” that stop me in my tracks.
God doesn’t comfort us simply to make us comfortable. He comforts us to make us comfort-able…able to comfort other people.
Dear friend, God may very well send someone your way who needs a person who understands. No one can help a woman who is struggling with a wayward teenager like the mother who has welcomed a prodigal home. No one can encourage a woman struggling with depression like the woman who has come out of that same darkness and into the light. No one can help a woman struggling with the pain of a shameful past like the woman who has exchanged her tattered sackcloth for a princess’s robe.
That’s why your story matters.
The parts of my story I used to wish had been edited out have become the ones God has highlighted as His most amazing work in my life—especially helping others know they are not alone.
Have you gone through something that makes you comfort-able? If so, I encourage you to encourage someone today. Leave a comment and tell what the title of what story might be.
Let’s Pray
Lord, thank You for being the God of all comfort who has comforted me time and time again. This week, show me someone who needs to know the comfort that You have given me. Help me not be ashamed to talk about the struggles I have had in my own life, but to be an encouragement to someone who needs to know there is hope.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
What is one part of your story that God wants you to use to help other people?
Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 in various translations and ask God to show you something you’ve never noticed about this verse before.
More from the Girlfriends
Your story matters, and someone needs to hear it. But are you ready? Has the healing happened? If you know you have a story to tell but not sure where to begin, this book is for you. When You Don’t Like Your Story: What if Your Worst Chapters Could Become Your Greatest Victories.
And for all you praying wives, come on over to The Praying Wives Club for daily encouragement!
© 2022 by Sharon Jaynes. All rights reserved.
Ways to work through the Grief of losing someone you love
Sharon,
Love the Comfort -able!
I not only survived a horrific accident, I walked in the Houston 1/2 marathon less than 3 years after my surgeons said that IF I kept my legs, I would never walk again. I have written a book and now get to share how God sends the right person into our life at the very moment we need them. His blessings are all around. We just need to be intentional to look.
Grace by Which I Stand is the title but also His ultimate truth.
Lin
WoW! That is awesome!
Figuring out how to manage a special needs child.
Seeing my child lying in a hospital in critical condition and trusting God to heal her and give us strength to get through it.
He did all of that and more … making her a beautiful example of the power of prayer!
Amen! What a victory!
Mine would be a shameful past. Not knowing how God could ever love me or forgive me for doing somethings I did. Not feeling loved so I searched for it. Now I’m here to shout it out….my God loves me and He has forgiven me. This is so timely as God has been showing me this past month or two that He wants to use my testimony to help other women. I’m scared and somewhat ashamed to tell people, but if my story can even help one woman it would so be worth it!!! I have an opportunity to go speak to some ladies at my mom and sisters church and I keep putting it off (I’m not a good speaker). Thank you for sharing this…now I know I need to get that on the books.
Oh He loves you soooo much!
Thank you for touching my heart with this story, Sharon.
My story would be entitled “God makes the barren woman to be a joyful mother of children.” After a barren period of eight yr & crying out to our Lord, He gave my husband & me not only a daughter but a son too…then six beautiful grandchildren followed in his time.
Never give up on trusting God for perfect timing & an Eph 3:20 promise.
What a praise story!
My assist. pastor, much younger woman than myself, showed me that if Jesus could seek out and forgive the Samaritan woman at the well; He could forgive me and get rid of my “backpack” of guilt. We all can share our stories to help the next!
Just remembering to share, is like dominoes. We all need to knock down that wall of resistance to the Savior’s calling, so we can contribute to Kingdom building.
(My Living Bible Trans. states: “What a wonderful God we have….the source of every mercy…wonderfully comforts& strengthens us…And why does He do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy & encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help & comfort God has given us.”)
When I finally came back to my faith, I prayed for the Spirit to give me the eyes and ears of empathy. This is a blessing to me, but also a challenge; but it has helped me in my spiritual growth, as a step closer to be more like Jesus and less like myself.
Thank you, Sharon for this reminder of hope.
WE are all learning together.
I always enjoy your devotionals, thank you for sharing God’s messages with us.
We love doing life with you.
Journey Through Breast Cancer would be my title. I saw this verse in action as God sent women who had been through it to comfort and encourage me. I remember one saying that I would comfort and encourage others, and it wasn’t long after that I got that opportunity for the first time…and have been able to reach out to many women diagnosed with breast cancer in the 16 years since.
I’m so thankful that you’re helping others!
My title would be based off of Psalm 18:28…He kept my lamp burning and turned my darkness to light.
Thank you, Sharon, for writing this. God used it to minister and connect with me. 🙂
My title would be, Not Just Surviving but Living.