Barbara Preston, member of the body of Christ
One day last year Joan (Boney) and I were talking on the phone and I mentioned that I was going to have cataract surgery later in the year.
She immediately told me not to be concerned about it that she had already had this surgery and it was very easy and simple.
I appreciated her telling me this. She was silent for a moment and then said how important it is for us to tell people things like this, for example, when it might be helpful to them, especially to those in the church, but to others also.
I know this is strongly planted inside of me to do this and I was thinking about all of this earlier today and was reminded of the following scripture...
Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
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A few years ago I felt overwhelmed and almost "paralyzed" when considering several things needing to be done over the following three months.
Then, the Holy Spirit reminded me of what we're told in Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
After the Holy Spirit reminded me of Matthew 6:34, I began praying about, and dealing with, the things before me that day, trusting God to lead me each day in what needed to be done that day, rather than considering what was needed farther in the future. This calmed and comforted me tremendously, and I was able to deal with what was needed each day, no longer feeling paralyzed.
(Interestingly, my situation changed and various things I thought needed to be done in the future were not needed at all. God knows what the future holds for each of us and what we actually need to do each day.)
Wednesday evening of this week, a neighbor told me of feeling so overwhelmed by various things needing to be done over the next 2 months that she feels "stuck", not able to do anything. As she spoke, I was reminded of what happened to me and how the Holy Spirit led me in what to do.
I began telling this neighbor about what happened. When I said I had felt almost "paralyzed", she excitedly said "That's the word to describe how I feel ... paralyzed!"
As I went on to share what we're told in Matthew 6:34, she recognized the scripture and said she wanted to go spend time with this scripture, for she felt this was help she needed. She seemed genuinely helped and strengthened by hearing how God helped me in a situation similar to what she is currently facing.
As I was reading in 2 Corinthians 1 this morning, I recalled talking with this neighbor, and believe this is an example of being able to comfort someone with the comfort we have received from God.
After the Holy Spirit reminded me of Matthew 6:34, I began praying about, and dealing with, the things before me that day, trusting God to lead me each day in what needed to be done that day, rather than considering what was needed farther in the future. This calmed and comforted me tremendously, and I was able to deal with what was needed each day, no longer feeling paralyzed.
(Interestingly, my situation changed and various things I thought needed to be done in the future were not needed at all. God knows what the future holds for each of us and what we actually need to do each day.)
Wednesday evening of this week, a neighbor told me of feeling so overwhelmed by various things needing to be done over the next 2 months that she feels "stuck", not able to do anything. As she spoke, I was reminded of what happened to me and how the Holy Spirit led me in what to do.
I began telling this neighbor about what happened. When I said I had felt almost "paralyzed", she excitedly said "That's the word to describe how I feel ... paralyzed!"
As I went on to share what we're told in Matthew 6:34, she recognized the scripture and said she wanted to go spend time with this scripture, for she felt this was help she needed. She seemed genuinely helped and strengthened by hearing how God helped me in a situation similar to what she is currently facing.
As I was reading in 2 Corinthians 1 this morning, I recalled talking with this neighbor, and believe this is an example of being able to comfort someone with the comfort we have received from God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
comfort: to give strength and hope to; to ease the grief or trouble of
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