Pay the Comfort Forward

“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.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

In a story posted over the weekend by WBAL TV-Baltimore, it was reported that medical runner Sarah Heins had just finished the full marathon at the 2022 Baltimore Running Festival when she got a call to run back and help a runner in distress. Her quick, selfless act, they said, ended up saving the life of Kelsy Sabo, a nursing student at Johns Hopkins University. Sabo credits Heins, the doctors and the entire MedStar Health team for saving her life after she experienced heat stroke that caused her core temperature to reach 107. This year, she's paying it forward. "It comes full circle. I'm running as a medical runner this year, so I'm excited to get back out there and not try to (reach a personal record) like I was trying to do last year, and just be the boots on the ground and help runners like me," Sabo said.

And you know, when it comes to paying it forward, the Bible tells us that “the God of all comfort… comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” Do you just love that or what? That means we can and should help ease the grief and pain others might be experiencing by sharing how God consoled and helped us in similar moments. Think about it… who has more empathy and compassion for someone who’s suffering than a believer who’s experienced the same suffering from the same cause? And who’s better able to express how God comforted them in a similar moment than someone who’s walked the same path?

So do what you can to help others going through the same trials, pain, and suffering you’ve experienced my friend. Tell them how God helped ease your suffering and then used it for your good so they can know there’s hope and smile in the midst of their affliction. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for caring so much about Your children that You would personally comfort them when they are experiencing pain or walking through trying times. Help us to give that comfort back to others so that our pain will not be in vain. All praise be to You for being the Father of compassion. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!