Comforters II Cor. 1:3-4
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
When I remember how this health crisis started, I was not comfortable or happy to be in the emergency room. I was physically sick, and mentally overwhelmed at the prospect of a neurological illness that I feared was related to the dementia diagnosis of my father and little sister. I had no idea how much the Holy Spirit was going to comfort and calm me that night. The first nurse we met was a former member of our church and she hugged my fears away. She settled me in with my next blessing, a warm blanket and readied me for the tests that I feared. Warm, tucked in and with my nurses’ friendly face, we waited for the specialist to come with my results. Our doctor peeked around the curtain, and then brought another nurse, they both looked so serious that I knew it was not good news. The doctor was probably in his 30s but looked about 18. When he finally came to my bedside, he looked so upset, that I was actually more worried about him than me. That is when this verse from II Cor. became a comfort to me. My responsibility was comforting my doctor and telling him it was going to be all right. I told him I had a relationship with God, He was my Savior, and I knew where I would spend eternity. “Don’t worry about telling me bad news, I am sorry you have to tell people bad things, but I will be your easiest patient because I know God is in control.” Years ago, I had written a Ladies devotional on the subject, “We are comforted by God, not to be comfortable, but to be Comforters”. That night my words were put into practice and I was comforted in the process. When I was in the hospital for 10 days, I was never comfortable. I had a special room, great nurses, lots of doctors, and tests, and overwhelming information on my brain cancer diagnosis…. the worst kind, inoperable, 3-6 months maybe. That beautiful verse would challenge me every day as I would talk with my nurses and let them know the hope of Jesus Christ in my life. The warm blankets they brought revived me just as the Holy Spirit would revive my attention to their souls in need of salvation. One night I asked for my son, Joseph, to come sing for me. He sang about God’s goodness, my favorite old hymns and got me singing with him and it was the most special night. All the nurses stood outside my concert hall and listened to us sing “It is well with my soul”. God never left me comfortless. My husband was my rock and took on the position of the doctor, nurse, pill dispenser, and organizer of how to let me live at peace with my new prognosis. We were in agreement to go home and be comfortable. Shock, change of plans, and acceptance of God’s Will, all rolled together as God brought peace to our troubled hearts. When we finally came home, God sent more comfort. Prayers from all over the world, cards so special, and more comforters! Quilts, and blankets that were so soft and warm, comfort food from family and friends, and sweet visits and phone calls. Please let the Holy Spirit be your Comforter and follow His leading in being a comforter to this lost world.