If a child is loved well, then one day, that person will hopefully be able to pass on that same love to the significant people in their lives.

As Christians, we’re part of a beautiful cycle of comfort.

The Bible says that God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

2 Corinthians 1:5-7 reads:

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.

Like a loving parent, God comforts us, so we know what it feels like to be comforted.

Then, with that experience of comfort…

That experience of love and tenderness…

We have the firsthand knowledge to comfort others.

God’s comfort can be given and received through others.

As his people, we are transmitters of comfort.

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Some people are very familiar with suffering.

They’re so familiar with pain that they know it by heart.

Maybe you’re one of them.

Maybe you’ve lost many people you love.

Maybe you’ve suffered from a physical or mental illness your whole life.

Maybe you’ve gone through some major relationship breakdowns.

As a result, you’ve either turned inward and shut people out.

Or you’ve become more aware of how to care for others.

Suffering gives us deeper insights into the human experience.

When you’re familiar with pain, you know how to support others going through hard times.

How can your suffering give you an understanding of how to support others?

Take a moment to reflect and pray about how God might make you a blessing to someone you know.