Flannel pajamas, a cozy blanket, and a hot cup of lemon ginger tea come to mind when I think of comfort. But what if comfort is more than a feeling?  What if it is a gift from God that He gives us, and that we, in turn, can give to others? Receiving and giving comfort is a large part of Christianity.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.

~2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NLT

I misunderstood comfort. Our Father is the source of comfort. Comfort is a blessing and a gift. A gift given to me so I can be comforted, and for me to, in turn, give to others.

In the story of Elijah in 1 Kings, God comforts him when he is frightened and discouraged. Elijah had just witnessed his prayers for fire and rain from heaven come true. But when wicked Queen Jezebel sent a message threatening his life, he fled to the wilderness. God does not chastise him for acting out in fear, but instead sends His angels to provide physical sustenance and rest to comfort Elijah.

God comforted His mighty prophets of old. But He also comforts me, especially with His Word. He reminds me to cast all my cares on Him when I begin worrying (1 Peter 5:7). My go-to memory verse calms me and strengthens me.

Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me.

~John 14:1 AMP

It’s hard to wrap my mind around the fact that the Creator of the universe reaches into my heart when I am sad or hurting and comforts me. There are immense asteroids and meteors hurling about in space, and God protects this planet full of His people from epic catastrophe, as well as comforts little ole me. He is truly amazing. Therefore, I try to comfort others. God wants us to be like Him and carry on the comfort.

Therefore, encourage and comfort one another and build up one another.

~1 Thessalonians 5:11 AMP

When you need comfort, turn to God.

Think of someone to whom you could give comfort. 

Heavenly Father, I recognize You as the source of comfort and thank and praise You for being so personally involved in my life. Please help me to see when others need comforting. Then, give me the courage to do it. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2026: Receiving and Giving Comfort: Angela Dolbear: All Rights Reserved.