When the glorious sunshine fell across my face, I felt the comfort of Christ flowing over me. And when the excruciating head pains began to lift, again I felt the comfort of God so near. I longed to share that comfort with my loved ones, so I sent them notes of praise to our Lord.
But what about the other days, when my hands are swollen and throbbing with RA pain? What happens when fatigue and weakness have forced me to be housebound for days? Is there any comfort then?
I have found a miracle of grace touch my life when I ask God to give me the strength to share His comfort–when I’ve asked Him to remind me of His faithfulness in days of struggle. It is then that He lifts my fingers and sets a Psalm on my lips. What felt lifeless and useless only moments before is suddenly moving in the rhythm of His Spirit’s Grace. And the comfort that I so longed to share with another has now become a gift of mercy upon my own suffering. It is the paradox of God’s comfort: as we give His comfort, we also receive His comfort.
For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:5
2 Corinthians 1:5 NIV
Those of us who walk this Chronic Illness pathway are sharing a fellowship that we may not have known had we remained healthy. We have been brought into the sufferings of Christ when we allow His Spirit to join us in His own deep comforts also. His bond of comfort is one that may not be able to be explained, and yet it can be shared. When you share a word of hope in the darkness with another sufferer, it is from HIS comfort. When you share a Psalm from within the place of pain, it is from HIS comfort. When you speak even a thought of blessing as you look up from your own wounding, it is from HIS comfort as well.
Will you join me at the Chronic Joy Community for this month’s prayer prompt? As you pray through the four prayers there, one for each week of the month, and as you listen to the audio blogs, may you see our Lord’s comfort overflowing. We have been so blessed to share the comfort of Christ.
I am linking this week with: #RememberMeMonday #TellHisStory #GraceAndTruth
BettieGsRAseasons 
Truly you are a witness of God’s miracle of grace in the midst of suffering, Bettie. “What felt lifeless and useless only moments before is suddenly moving in the rhythm of His Spirit’s Grace.” His amazing grace is so full and free! Thank you so much for these comforting reflections and prayers, my friend. Love and blessings of God’s grace in the midst of all your pain!
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Dear Trudy,
Thank you for being such a gift of His comfort and grace also! I am so very thankful that He knows how to meet us in just the right way, as we look up to Him. “His amazing grace is so full and free!” Amen! Sending you such love and blessings this week also, dear friend. xoxo
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“as we give His comfort, we also receive His comfort” – Yes, Bettie! Yes! When we give selflessly to others wanting nothing in return – He blesses us in unimaginable ways! I am so sorry you suffer this way – but I rejoice in the blessings God showers you with! Praying God’s shalom and comfort this week, friend! Thank you for sharing His comfort! ~ Maryleigh
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Dear Maryleigh,
Thank you for your sweet comfort and prayers that you offered here too. Yes, He does “bless us in unimaginable ways” when we offer the giving back to Him. Praying Shalom and blessing for you also!
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It is so true that as we share His comfort with others, we, ourselves find comfort. He is so faithful. I am praying for you and thinking of you, dear friend, and sending much love your way.
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Dear Cheryl,
Thank you for your prayers, and thank you so much for sharing His comfort with me so many times! God truly is so faithful to us! Blessings, love, and prayers for you also dear friend!
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Oh how I can relate to this post and these words in particular: “I have found a miracle of grace touch my life when I ask God to give me the strength to share His comfort–when I’ve asked Him to remind me of His faithfulness in days of struggle.” Thank you for this glorious reminder of that sustaining grace and what a wonderful difference it makes. This chronic illness journey has some surprising gifts, doesn’t it? When we discover others who are suffering likewise it definitely unites us in our struggles, helps us feel less alone with our daily difficulties and pain, and blesses us in the sharing of our stories and the comfort which God graciously brings. I’m so thankful to have found you in your sharing here and known the comfort of your love, understanding and prayerful friendship. I appreciate the beautiful prayers at Chronic Joy Ministry and especially love #1 and #3. May God continue to bless, equip and strengthen you to write and pray, dear friend, and touch the lives of other hurting souls through your tender testimony. Sending blessings, love and grateful prayers to you across the pond! xoxo 💜
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Dear Joy,
Oh I am so grateful also, “to have found you in your sharing here and known the comfort of your love, understanding and prayerful friendship.” He weaves us in such precious ways so that He can share His comfort among us, and I am so amazed at His ways. Truly we do need that sharing with each other to see that we are not alone in those difficulties and pain that you spoke of. I would never have realized the surprising gifts that He was going to bring my way in this community of fellowship here. But what a blessing in the middle of hard times! I pray that you will also receive that same comfort and strength to continue sharing what He has placed on your heart, dear friend. Blessing, love and prayers for you today also!
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Praying you are having a comfortable – and comforted – week! Thanks for so faithfully sharing your blog posts!!
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Dear Jennifer,
Thank you for your sweet words! It truly is a gift when He brings us comfort and those places of being comfortable too! May the Lord bless you this week!
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Thank you for your continued testimony to your faith in God. I love that you have a beautiful community that surrounds and supports you. Thank you also for the prayer prompts. What a gift!
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Dear Mary, Yes, I am so amazed at the love and support that God has given through this season. He truly is so gracious towards us, even in the hardest of times. Thank you so much for all of your encouragement for me. You are such a blessing! I pray blessing for you tonight also.
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“As we give His comfort, we also receive His comfort.” I love that thought and truth.
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Amen, Barbara. He is such a Tender Shepherd to let us share together that way! Blessings to you today!
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I love your following statement Bettie;
“Those of us who walk this Chronic Illness pathway are sharing a fellowship that we may not have known had we remained healthy. We have been brought into the sufferings of Christ when we allow His Spirit to join us in His own deep comforts also. His bond of comfort is one that may not be able to be explained, and yet it can be shared.”
So true!
You’re such an encouragement!
Bless you sweet friend ♥
Jennifer
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Thank you also Dear Jennifer for being part of that blessed fellowship! I appreciate your encouragement so much. Blessings to you across the miles! I am so thankful there is no distance in God’s Holy Spirit joining!
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Amen! ♥
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Love it ❤️
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So grateful that we can share the comfort of Christ with each other! Blessings to you.
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