How To Comfort Others

2 Corinthians 7:6 – But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,

2 Corinthians 7:7 – and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

It is our Christian role to comfort others. When others are in difficulties, God expects and wants us to comfort them. The question therefore is, how do we comfort others?

First, like Titus we must be available for God to use us to comfort others. Titus was willing to heed God’s call to go and visit Apostle Paul and his team. Titus left his comfort. Titus traveled at a time when traveling was difficult and inconveniencing. Titus accepted personal inconveniences and he became a God given comfort.

It will take some inconvenience on our side for us to be a comfort to others. You may have to sacrifice your time. Your may have to sacrifice your money. You may have to sacrifice your sleep. You may have to adjust your preplanned plans. All these in order for you to be available as a God sent comfort to others. Accept some inconvenience for the sake of others.

2 Corinthians 7:6  Then the God who lifts up the downcast lifted our heads and our hearts with the arrival of Titus.(Message Bible)

2 Corinthians 7:7  We were glad just to see him, but the true reassurance came in what he told us about you: how much you cared, how much you grieved, how concerned you were for me. I went from worry to tranquility in no time!(Message Bible)

“We were glad just to see him…” Someone in hospital will be glad just to see you. Someone who has had a hurting public embarrassment will be glad just to see you. Someone who lost a job or faced a loss will be glad just to see you. Someone facing tough times will be glad just to see you.

Secondly, we comfort others by how much we express care. Show concern. Show that you are concerned with their welfare. Be concerned how they eat. Be concerned if they have slept well. Be concerned if they have figured out what next. Be concerned if they have done what they should do, because stress can numb us from even taking the steps we should.

Romans 12:15 – Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Be in the mood of the moment. If they are rejoicing, you rejoice. If they are mourning, you mourn. If they are worried, appreciate the worry. If they are anxious, appreciate it.

Tell the person you have missed them. It is a show of concern. Ask questions on how they are doing and addressing the situation. Have you eaten? What happens to the children? Will you need help in this or that? Show genuine concern.

If you cannot show genuine concern, you are not the God send comfort. Keep off the person in trouble. You may make things worse. You could be part of the problem. Only comfort if you are genuinely concerned.

Ecclesiastes 7:2 – It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.

Comforting others should be our priority. It is better to sacrifice everything in order to go and comfort others. Nothing takes priority over the urgent need to comfort others.

If someone has faced loss in business, they need comfort. If someone has faced loss of job, they need comfort. If someone is facing long term sickness, they need comfort. If someone is dealing with relationship break up, separation of marriage or divorce, they need comfort.

If someone is facing disruption of daily routine because of a sick loved one, they need comfort. If someone is going through difficulties at work or at school, they need comfort. If someone has just failed in an exam or their expectations dashed, or their plans ruined, they need comfort. If someone had plans to travel but can’t get a visa or air-ticket, they need comfort!

Some of these things are private and personal. The reason why we get to know about them is because we are gossipers or God wants us to be a comfort. If you genuinely feel the concern, be a God sent comfort. If you are not a God sent comfort, step out of the gossip network and pray for the concerned person or people.

Gossipers hurt people by spinning falsehoods and making fun of painful situations. Gossipers pass around falsehood that eventually reach the victim and hurt them more. Gossipers are part of the problem. If you are in a network of gossip you will know it because you get regular updates. Step out of that wicked network. Don’t pass on the information you receive. Pray for yourself and the victim. Perhaps God may make you a comfort!

May God comfort us in His own way. May God save us from gossipers. May God rid our community of gossipers. May God make me and many more others to be a comfort to others. In Jesus’s name, Amen!

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