Share the Comfort

“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT

During some downtime at the aid-station I was blessed to be working with friends on Saturday morning, my friend Jody (who is a fellow believer and ultrarunner) and I jokingly said that our aid stations were always the best because we unfailingly recruited seasoned runners to work them. “We just know what they need,” I remembered her saying matter-of-factly. “We can read their body language, faces and expressions as they approach to anticipate what we need to say to them or do for them.” I couldn’t agree with her more and so added, “Because we’ve been there girl! We’ve been tired. We’ve been in the struggle. We’ve been in the moments when we wanted to give up. And we all remember how important the aid station workers were, many times making the difference in whether we gave up or pressed on by their actions and/or words.”

And you know, when it comes to providing aid and comfort to someone that might be struggling and in need of an encouraging word and/or deed to press on, the Bible tells us that God “comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” This means that when we give back to others, the trials and troubles we were allowed to experience were not in vain. Not only did we ourselves get to feel the amazing comfort that only God can provide in these times which strengthened our faith, but can pass on that same comfort to a person experiencing the exact thing we did, thus strengthening their faith. Is that amazing or what?

So if you’re in a trial my friend, hang tight. Relish in the solace and support the Lord is giving you at this moment knowing that one day you can give that same consolation to someone else. And if you have an opportunity to encourage someone to press on right now, whether in life or in racing, seize it! You’ll not only bless them by doing so but be blessed yourself.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that troubles and trials always serve a purpose for those who love You and are called according to your purpose. Lord, please help us to be patient as we endure them and to be ever joyful when we are able to help others going through the same thing. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!