[God] comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
(2 Corinthians 1:4 NKJV)
Everyone seems to be on edge now, and the smallest thing can stir up anger. Believe me, this message is as much for me as it is for anyone else. I need a buffer between the words I hear or read and the words I speak. Time to pause and get it right.
Multiple faces have flashed through my mind this morning as I consider confrontation. The hostess at a seafood restaurant that didn’t want to allow Iva entrance. The customer service person on the phone that couldn’t understand my request. The sharp words taking aim from social media. The rude checkout lady at the store. The know-it-all who wants to argue Bible doctrine.
They have attacked you. They have spoiled your day. They have added to your stress.
No one wants conflict, yet the jagged edges of our hearts cut with words when we respond. I need a mute button that automatically activates when disputes arise. Perhaps you agree.
My flesh responds with confrontation, when I should offer the gift of comfort.
God is the God of all comfort (2 Cor. 1:3). He encourages me in all my tribulations. Not just some of them, but each one of them. When troubles arise, God comes alongside me and consoles me.
Our verse says God comforts us so we can comfort others. God gives us the gift of encouragement to share. We can come alongside others in their tribulations and share with them the comfort God has given us.
I want to stop and consider where the unkindness originates. That lady at the store who has the personality of a crab might be in the midst of a family crisis. The customer service representative on the phone might be battling cancer. That sharp remark on Facebook might be reacting to an earlier hurtful situation.
When we hear discourtesies, instead of responding out of the cragged pieces of our hearts, could we stop to think what they need. Yes, they were inexcusably harsh, maybe even malicious.
Hurt people hurt people.
Shouldn’t we pause to ponder what is going on that we don’t know about? Let’s not rush to engage in a battle of words.
I have played all these roles at one time or another. You probably have too. I know I should keep my mouth shut. Keep my fingers off the keyboard and fold them in prayer. Prayer should be my first response. Sometimes, it should be our only response. This is who I want to be, so I can share the comfort from which I have been comforted.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your divine comfort. Help me share it with those who are inconsiderate or just plain rude. Close my mouth and remind me to pray. Amen.
DIG DEEPER
Read Galatians 6:2 NKJV:
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
HIKING THE TRAIL
Has there been a recent confrontation where you wish you had reacted differently? Can you remedy it now?
RELATED RESOURCES
You might also like this devotional Real Healing for Raw Hurt
Are you going through your own storm right now? Check out my 30-day devotional created just for troubling times… Overcoming the overwhelming: Walking in Victorious Faith When You Don’t Feel Victorious. Click Here!
walking-in-victorious-faith-when-you-dont-feel-victorious/
Originally posted on January 25, 2021 @ 3:00 am
I have never been outward verbally confrontational as I keep all those comments to myself which is also not healthy BUT boy I am glad thought bubbles do not appear over our heads as those would get me in some deep trouble at times. But God does not care if those words came out verbally or were just thought as either way they are not God loving in nature. hurt people hurt people for sure and I do try to remember that I do not know what all is going on in their lives that has lead up to their remarks. I do know it seldom has anything to do with me but I got the blunt end of many things that got piled up before me.
We do need a healthy way to deal with those thoughts. I believe it pleases God if we keep our mouths shut, even though our thoughts aren’t pleasing. , once they are released as words, we can never take them back, like toothpaste can’t be put back.