FINDING COMFORT IN THE UNCOMFORTABLE
- Key Verse
- "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
God is the "God of all comfort." Really? How about that new toy, dress, physique, vacation, title, relationship, drug, trophy, exclusive membership, party . . . ? How long do those earthly comforts really last? We find true comfort in God alone and the eternal gifts He gives us in serving others.
Reflections
A couple of years ago, a young, hurting father was coming to me for help with his prodigal, wayward child. His own community group was incredibly wise, so I asked, "Why are you coming to me?" He replied, "Because you have walked this path; they haven't." What would I say to him? How could I comfort him, when he felt so helpless, hopeless, and afraid? I could only serve him in that moment because I had indeed walked this path. God in His providence and grace had chosen to grow me, touch me, and teach me for a few years in the most painful and scary place I had ever experienced.My community comforted me, but I did not find comfort in platitudes and empty promises. I eventually found comfort by heeding their warnings and rebukes. I began to lead myself and my family well and to become more of the man and father God wanted me to be. I found true comfort when I obeyed the principles found in His Word and placed my faith, trust, and security in Him alone, instead of myself.
I never thought I would say this, but I thank God every day for my experience and for every heartache that has brought me closer to Him. I thank God that I had the words that afternoon to give my hurting brother the comfort God had given me, all for His glory. John Piper summarizes, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."
As I look back on my life, I fall to my knees in worship and thanksgiving for the goodness He has bestowed on me. He allowed my hardships to shape me, not break me. He has allowed me to find true eternal comfort, and for the rest of my life, I will be blessed to be able to comfort others with His truth. I pray each of you will take full advantage of the troubles you face to grow closer to Him and serve Him by serving others. That is where the God of all "true comfort" is found.
Discussion Questions
1. Where have you sought comfort in the last month, year? Is that "comfort" still comforting you?2. Picture yourself standing before Jesus at the end of your life and presenting Him with the things in which you sought comfort. Which of these things would Jesus acknowledge by saying, "Well done"? How can you begin to be comforted by the things of God?
3. Have you missed any opportunities by focusing more on your own inconvenience and hardship in your struggles than by the opportunity to glorify God and grow closer to Him in the process? How can you prepare yourself to not miss your next opportunity?
4. Have you ever comforted others with God's Word and seen life change? If not, why? If you have experienced this, can you share how that comfort compares to other earthly comforts you enjoy?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
2 Corinthians 1-5 (July 9-13)
Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-18.
• Verse 7 talks about our bodies being like fragile clay jars, what do you think this means?
• How do you see your body being fragile (both physically and spiritually)?
• Have you ever watched someone else experience verses 8 & 9; that is, go through really hard times, but not be "crushed"?
• What did you see in that person? What helped that person to continue to trust Jesus and show others He is faithful?
• What are ways that you might be "crushed" or "pressed"? (Think about school, work, sports, friends.)
• How can you trust the "treasure" inside of you to shine through even in the hard times?
Activity: Take time to write an encouraging letter to a person you have seen stay faithful and shine for Jesus even in hard times. And then write a letter to someone you know who is in the middle of hard times. Be sure to encourage them with Scripture, reminding them of the treasure they have and who is faithful. Now mail the letters to each of them.
Comments
The views expressed under “Comments” are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Watermark Community Church.
Jim Wimberley
July 9, 2012 07:24 AM
Good job Keg. May all of us on The Journey find our sufficiency in Christ today and receive a comfort that wears with our struggles.
Lamp
July 9, 2012 07:29 AM
Thanks for sharing! I saw your video durng last year's Dads class and shared it with a couple of friends of mine. Your staying faithful during one of life's biggest trials, with help from God and your community, is a perect example of how God takes chaos and turns it to beauty! Thanks again!
Debbie
July 9, 2012 08:13 AM
Great job Jay! You are faithful to remind everyone where true comfort can be found.
Scott coy
July 9, 2012 08:17 AM
You rocked this morning J.Burns! Great and comforting words. As I live them out today I am encouraged by your insight and your journey. grateful for your friendship and contribution to the family of Watermark. SC
Ann Holland
July 9, 2012 08:39 AM
Thank you Jay for encouraging me that it is not about our " comforts " on this earth but how we comfort others! Ann
Brett
July 9, 2012 08:49 AM
Great job Jay. Knowing and watching you work through His story in your family was and is a blessing to all. Thanks for your obedience and leadership. It is making a difference in the Church. I am going to go with National Merit Scholar?
lisa
July 9, 2012 09:42 AM
This passage is a perfect one for you to comment on as one can tell with every sentence written that you have allowed yourself to be comforted by the eternal Comforter and learned how to pass this on to the glory of God. Question 3 really hits home with me and i will be thinking about that for some time.
Christina
July 9, 2012 09:46 AM
This is the first journey I've ever read, and I loved it! I don't think I'm ever going to stop this wonderful way of bible study. Thanks for the lifestyle change, Jay!
Jeremy Howell
July 9, 2012 09:47 AM
Good job Pappa Jay! Thank you for the reminder on where we find our comfort.
Robert White
July 9, 2012 10:12 AM
I find true comfort in relationship with your friendship, encouragement, and navigation to the Lord. Take that!
Bobbie
July 9, 2012 10:27 AM
Thanks, Jay! I agree...as tough as painful times can be, I'm glad God uses them to shape me, not to break me. And it's a beautiful thing, when on the "other side" we are able to praise Him!
jay burns
July 9, 2012 11:02 AM
Brett is the only one to get it right! I am NOT a national merit scholar. the other admissions are just greater testimony as to how big God is and His grace toward an old balding Garland boy that took a crooked path home ! thanks for the kind words to all...but if I boast, let me boast in Christ alone...HE is all in all, as you know well.
Dean Macfarlan
July 9, 2012 11:17 AM
Jaybird, I am blessed to call you my friend. My life is better because you are in it. So thankful you walk what you talk. Grateful for you Jay and how you 1 Peter 4:10 the may incredible gifts that God has blessed you with. Dean
Debra Wilson
July 9, 2012 11:20 AM
Very helpful comments .... God inspired! I know the truth in them, but so hard when going through the valley and perhaps that valley not ending in this lifetime. How can I fully embrace my situation? Just sit back and say thanks? I know He is good by what He is doing in others lives, but I want Him to use me and I'm not seeing it...
Elaine Word
July 9, 2012 12:28 PM
Great Devotional, Jay, and great intro on your bio. I the correct one, not knowing you it seemed the least likely to go with the other statements (and someone called you Keg, which was the other one I might have guessed... so I had a chance to cheat a little). I, too, have found that thosse things that God has brought me through have allowed me to comfort others as God has comforted me. It is an amazing thing to see the way the Lord uses ALL things to His Glory. Blessings to you, and may the Lord continue to bless you are you serve Him.
Aaron
July 9, 2012 12:50 PM
"He allowed my hardships to shape me, not break me." awesome. thanks.
Sue Bohlin
July 9, 2012 02:09 PM
There's no one more comforting and helpful to a person walking a pain-filled path than the person who has walked that same pain-filled path as you have. It makes such a difference to see God redeem our pain when we're able to pass on His comfort to others through the powerful words "I understand," right? Bless you Jay! The key verse you chose is super-powerful. . . but I also enjoyed v. 14 where Paul tells his Corinthian friends that they can be proud of him just as he is proud of them--in a God-honoring way. I was reminded of a passage I had just recorded in my wisdom journal from Tim Keller's book "The Meaning of Marriage," where he writes about getting "a glimpse of the person God is creating and to say, 'I see who God is making you, and it excites me! I want to be part of that. I want to partner with you and God in the journey you are taking to His throne. And when we get there, I will look at your magnificence and say, "I always knew you could be like this. I got glimpses of it on earth, but now look at you!"'"
Ginny
July 9, 2012 05:49 PM
Great job, Babe!! You rocked it! I know where you find your comfort....so glad to be on the journey with you....."Keg".