Trouble.
We don't need any explanation of that word, do we? We all have troubles. Sometimes big, sometimes small, and nagging. But, as the Scriptures say,
"Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward." Job 5:7
The issue is not the trouble; the issue is what we do with the troubles. We have many choices. We can blame others, which is never effective in dealing with trouble. We can sit and bemoan our troubles, even to the point of feeling ill-treated. Or, and this is the only answer with hope, we can turn to the Lord with our troubles.
King David said, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1). While King David tells us that the Lord is our refuge and strength in times of trouble, the Apostle Paul takes it even further:
"Blessed be God, even the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." (2 Corinthians 1:3,4)
The Lord loves to comfort His children. Why? Primarily because He loves us more than we can ever imagine. We love to comfort our children, to hold them close and whisper in their ears that everything will be "ok". I even love to comfort Ellie when she is upset about something, and she's a dog!
But the Lord has another reason for comforting us. As He pours His comfort into our spirits, He doesn't intend for it to stay there. He has comforted us with perfect comfort that He may comfort others through us! As we offer a word or gesture of support or comfort or understanding to someone else, that is His comfort flowing in and through us to the hurting ones in our world. He has given us everything we need to help others in their times of sorrow, grief, and pain. It is our choice to seek His will and utilize what He has given us for the benefit of others. He desires us to pour out our lives for others as He poured out His life for us. And in this, we will find peace and joy.
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