May 2, Comfort Others

Today’s reading: Psalms 6-10

“All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes” - Psalm 6:6-7.

Obviously David was in great distress when he wrote this psalm due to circumstances that are not identified. The interesting thing is that, in the midst of his pain, David took time to write down what he was thinking and feeling, under the direction of the Holy Spirit. The writing must have served as a catharsis of sorts, but then also has provided comfort for the last 3,000 years for those who identify with David’s pain. This points out part of why you are going through what you are: you are to use your experience to help others. Paul understood that he suffered in part so that he could comfort others:

For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort (1 Corinthians 1:5-7).

What can you do today to comfort someone who is in pain by sharing your own testimony? Can you visit someone, share your testimony and pray for them?