Reflection:

God has many names, but one we don’t hear as often is this: “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort”.

The context goes on to show that this comfort is not poolside deckchairs and cocktails, but the comfort of sharing the suffering of Christ. What kind of comfort is that? And yet it is: for as we suffer with Christ, we know that we are becoming like him. And if we are becoming like him, we know that we are with him. And if we are with him, we know that we are going where he has gone, out of the darkness and into the kingdom of light. And that is great comfort indeed.

What do you turn to for comfort? What comfort does the God of all comfort provide?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help me to be comforted—not with the trivial things of this world—but in my identity in Christ, in the all-encompassing grace of your mercy, in the knowledge that even this suffering is comfort, because of your love.  Thank you, Lord, for Jesus.  Amen.