The God of All Comfort

(It was so beautiful outside this morning! I hope you can see the mist against the shore. It made me so thankful for God's creation. It was about 90 degrees outside at 7 am, today's probably going to be a warm one!)

This morning was pretty good in terms of waking up for sunrise. I was up at the sunrise time and out at the park for some beautiful pictures. I ended up talking with a lady at the park for a little while before getting started with devotions, but I was thinking of my reflection before about not being in such a hurry. That interaction was beneficial to both of us and I need to thank God for the opportunity. I read my daily devotional from Streams in the Desert and all year it has been talking about trials and how they are good for us so this is where my study went today.

No matter your circumstances, big or small, God is working in in our hearts and on our character through them (Romans 5:3-4).There is an enemy out there that comes to steal, kill, and destroy and he wants these trials to crush us and to not be able to move on from them, but God has a different plan for those trials.

God uses our trials to: (a) produce character in us (Romans 5:3-4), (b) teach us to rely completely on Him (2 Corinthians 1:9), (c) give us the ability to comfort others who has or will go through similar situations (2 Corinthians 1:3-7), and (d) fulfill the Law of Christ of loving one another and allowing them to know who your heart belongs to (John 13:3-4).

(I encourage you to go into your Bible and read the scripture I have referenced above, see how those speak to you and share your insight in the comments section!)

God has thought this through. He is going to bring us to our knees in search of Him and He has built in the support we need here on Earth. If you have gone through something and God has delivered you on the other side, make that gift known to others. We are called to do this. Help others learn to lean on God and to receive the same deliverance you have. By this, we are sharing Christ's love with those around us. Believer or not, they matter and your story matters to them.

On the other hand, if you are going through something, you are not alone, no matter how alone you feel. God knows your struggles and He will provide someone to share in your struggle with you, please have the courage to ask God for this and to receive their guidance when He sends them. He will provide, you need to believe that. God loves you no matter what you have done or are doing, no matter what you have gone through or are going through. He wants to provide comfort to you, just allow yourself to receive it.

Be thankful in everything, even the trials you are facing, God uses them for the greater good and His glory. He loves you. His plan is perfect no matter the earthly outcome. Trust in God's will and step into faith that He uses our struggles for the betterment of ourselves and the Kingdom of God.