Comfort Word Study, Part 2

According to 1 Corinthians 14:31, prophesy is for learning and comfort.  Learning God's word reminds us that just speaking God's promises bring comfort.  We often think of comfort as in comforting a family that has lost a loved one.  But it is for more than that.  When a job offer falls through or someone in the family has hurt a person's feelings, it is important we know how to comfort them too. Remind that person or family of God's blessings to their loved one, that God has a plan for our life to the person looking for a job, and remind the hurt one that forgiveness brings its own comfort and hope for the future.

God has commands for us concerning comfort.  1 Thes 4:16-18 says we should comfort each other with words about Jesus' return and that we will ever be with the Lord. 1 Thes 5:14 says (among other commands) to "comfort the feeble minded".  When you are hurting, it is hard to think straight.  I would expect the feeble minded to be confused and forgetful.  You can say verses that they would not be able to say themselves.

It is also good to get together to comfort each other, that "all may be comforted." (1 Thes 5:11). We need to remember Isa 61:3 where God exchanges oil of joy for mourning, beauty for ashes, and garments of praise for heaviness.

Comfort can be refused.  The comforters that King David sent were treated badly.  The Psalmist says in Psalms 77:2, "my soul refused to be comforted. " Jeremiah 31:15 says Rachel refused to be comforted for her children who died. It is up to the person to accept comforting.

2 Corinthian 1:3 says God is the "the God of all comfort" and don't forget that Jesus has sent the Comforter after he arose. That is why we can comfort those around us in the same way God has comforted us.   I like 94:19 which says "my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul."  I think those "comforts" are Bible verses.  If you have them memorized, they will be there ready to be used.