Day Eleven: Give Comfort

Give … Comfort
We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort--we get a full measure of that, too. 2Co 1:5
Jesus was quick to comfort them: "Courage! It's me. Don't be afraid." Mark 6:50

When Jesus spoke these words to his disciples they were in a boat in the middle of a lake, straining against the power of the wind. They were on their own, and the miracle of the multiplied loaves and fishes had not yet registered. When Jesus strolled by them, walking on the water, they were terrified. Who wouldn’t be? The last thing they expected was to see was Jesus-walking on the water-getting into their boat-and calming the raging seas.

Mark tells us that Jesus immediately sensed their fears and comforted them. How did he do it? By identifying himself, “It’s me” and by acknowledging their fears, “Don’t be afraid.”
When we give comfort to someone, we need to consider whether we bring the calming power of Christ into the situation and identify His concern for their heart or merely grant a momentary and transitory respite to someone’s grief. The call to comfort is clear; comfort is a person – Jesus – and He is calling, “It’s me. Don’t be afraid.”

Father-God, Help me to show you to others and to bring your comforting words and your ever-lasting compassion into their lives.