A few nights ago, I had to comfort our cat, Raven, during a thunderstorm. She’s not usually affected by the weather, but something had her scared. So I held her and talked to her. I made a blanket tent for her to sleep under and sat with her until she felt brave enough to burrow under the blankets.
Once she was calmer and safely tucked under her tent, I went to bed. But before I fell asleep, I thought about her need for comfort and how we’re not much different in this respect.
Aren’t there times we all need to feel safe and to be reminded that we’re going to be okay?
Maybe it’s not a thunderstorm, but a situation that makes life feel out of control.
The diagnosis.
A relationship that’s falling apart.
Sadness and grief.
Financial struggles.
Or so many other possibilities.
Sometimes God will change what’s going on around us, but often He will provide comfort for what’s going on inside of us instead.
“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.” Corinthians 1:4 NLT
Because He comforts us first, we are able to comfort others.
We may not be able to change someone’s circumstances, but we can be there just to sit and let her know she’s not alone.
I couldn’t stop the thunderstorm, but I could comfort Raven when she was afraid.
I couldn’t stop my mom’s cancer last year, but I could sit with her in her pain so she didn’t feel alone.
So many things we can’t control, but we can be there.
Even when we can’t understand the situation or the pain, just being present can often be enough. It validates another person’s emotions. It says, “You don’t have to walk through this alone.”
And perhaps, as God works through us, it even shines some light into the dark places in our lives.
By Laura Rath
Used by Permission
FURTHER READING
• Broken but Made Beautiful
• Beauty out of Brokenness
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