Suffering from a chronic illness affects people in different ways. Depression may come to live with some people. Other persons can become bitter. Withdrawal from friends and family can occur with some. For the Believer in Jesus Christ, it often mellows our heart to make us more compassionate. The chronic illness allows us empathy and often becomes the point of rapport where we can minister to others now walking down the pathway we have recently traversed.
Today’s Bible Verse:
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (KJV), “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.”
What the verse means:
The verses are a reminder of what a wonderful God we have. He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy. He is the one who comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. Why does he do this? He does this where we can help other. When a family member, friend, or coworker is chronically ill, needing our support, sympathy, and encouragement, we can pass on to them the help and comfort God has given us.
Praying using the verse:
1. Heavenly Father, we praise you for how wonderful you are.
2. We acknowledge you are the Father of our Lord Jesus.
3. We proclaim you as the one who wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in hardships and trials.
4. Thank you for teaching us how to comfort others by your example to us where we can give sympathy and encouragement.
Photo Source: Pixaby with modifications by Jimmie Aaron Kepler
