The Duties of a Brother [or Sister] #2

...comfort the fainthearted... (1 Thess 5:14, NKJV)

… comfort the fainthearted; encourage or console the low-spirited or discouraged.

"God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters." This is a quote from someone named J.H. Hewett whom I have never heard of except for seeing this quote in a book entitled 199 Bible Verses for Men but I thank J.H Hewett for these words because they are so appropriate for today' word.

I live in a place filled with low-spirited and discouraged Christian men, and many of those men, from time to time, look to me for some kind of encouragement. In times past, I could not always be counted on to provide what they were looking for because I was too preoccupied with what was going on in my own life. I was so consumed with receiving some measure of comfort from God so I could live comfortably in prison, that I didn't realize that the comfort bestowed on me wasn't merely for my own benefit, so I could endure prison life. No, I was being comforted so that I could comfort others. I was being blessed so that I could be a blessing.

See, what I didn't fully understand then, but do now is that I have a responsibility to the men around me, to comfort them when they are low. It's my responsibility to help them regain their boldness in Christ. It's my responsibility to remind them of who they are in the eyes of God: how precious they are; how cherished they are; how important they are. And sometimes they just need to be reassured that, even in a place like this, God has not forgotten about them, so that they can once again stand tall, shaking off their discouragements, replacing them with renewed faith and strength.

It is my responsibility, to do for men who need it, what God and strong men of God have done for me in the past when I was at my lowest points. Not only is this my responsibility but it is yours also. If you are a child of God, if you are a Christian, you have the same responsibilities. Today, if you have felt the comfort of God or if you have comforted by someone stronger than you in the faith when you needed it most, and that comfort has brought you back from a low moment, remember what that felt like.

First, remember how desperately it was that you needed to be comforted. Then, remember how great it felt to know that someone cared enough about you to comfort, encourage, or console you. Remember how relieved you were when you found your strength again and then understand that there are brothers and sisters of ours all around us feeling just like we felt who need and deserve the same love we were shown.

Today, if you know someone in need of comfort but you are too preoccupied with your own issues to fulfill your duties to them: Stop. Stop worrying about yourself and worry about someone else. If a person tells you they need help. don't tell them you are too busy to help at the moment. Stop what you're doing and help them. Don't tell them you'll help them later or tomorrow because we don't know if there will be a later or a tomorrow. If you see someone you know who is obviously down and needs to be lifted up, don't let them walk past you without saying something because you wouldn't want someone to let you pass. Today is the day of encouragement and comfort. Today we make comforting those who need it a lifestyle.

Prayer for the day: Loving and gracious God, you comfort us so we can comfort others. Build us up so that we can share your love with those in need. Open our eyes to see those you have placed in our care. In the name of Jesus. Amen.