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. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

It is important to have spiritual mentors in life. Why? Because they have traveled some of the roads we currently travel and experienced the battle-victories and battle-defeats we currently experience, as well. And they remind us who will ultimately win the war for eternal victory and authority over all — God and his son, Jesus Christ! In fact, the war has already been won. God is just being patient in his timing so that more can be saved. So, as we travel down the pathways of life and experience trials of many kinds, we can take comfort that the same Jesus who saved us will comfort us too. And he will bring into our lives his people to lift us up. Have you experience rejection, deceit, physical/emotional abuse, unfairness, people who give only to take away, broken promises, unfaithful spouses, etc.? You are not alone. Jesus experienced some of these things. I have experienced some of them too. And so, in order to heal we have to be open to being comforted. Sometimes I find myself wanting to wallow in anger or frustration. This is the sinful response. Other times I might want to plot revenge — this is sinful too. So, we are left with laying down our trials, our burdens, our struggles at the feet of the cross of Jesus. And letting him bear them. He is the one we are yoked to as his followers. I claim this verse over you and me today: ““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I WILL GIVE YOU REST. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my YOKE is EASY and my BURDEN is LIGHT.” (Matthew‬ ‭11:28-30‬, emphasis mine) When we are yoked to Jesus, the trials go from giants to dwarfs in size. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
‭‭(Ephesians‬ ‭3:20-21‬)

I serve a Savior who IS ABLE!!! He is able today, he is able tomorrow. When I am depleted, he is who I am yoked to and he can easily carry the load all by himself.

Lord, I repent of my tendency to forget you want to comfort me all the time and in every situation. YOU ARE ABLE! And you care. I lay it all down today. All of the worries, all of the frustration, all of the disappointment, all of the broken promises this world serves up to me. And I take back the comfort and faithfulness and love you have waiting for me in abundance! Thank you for being my Savior and my friend, my God and my Redeemer!