Monday 7th December

Wow.  What a day yesterday turned out to be.  

I was woken at 9.30 by a phonecall from someone in tears who was having a very difficult time and needed a friendly ear.  At church I had a conversation with a teenager who was worried about a friend who is suffering from depression.  At lunchtime another phonecall from a different friend in tears because their dog had just died suddenly.   Long conversation with them and then at bedtime a deep and meaningful with one of the boys who is having a hard time sounding English in a world full of Irish people. Amongst other things.

It felt as though I had spent the whole day in ' counsellor' mode.

Two things come to mind.   Firstly this

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ  ( 2 Cor 1 )

and secondly this :  Isaiah 9.6  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

It would seem clear that we are going to suffer, BUT we are also going to be comforted in our suffering, and because we know the comfort of God we will be able to help others.  Which is what has been happening to me ever since I became a Christian, but more specifically since I started telling people my story re depression.    Jesus is the Counsellor.  He leaves His Spirit ( who is also called counsellor) so that we can bring the hope and peace and comfort which God wants to minister to people who are suffering.    It's interesting, isnt it, that God mostly chooses not to end our suffering and give us all nice pink fluffy happy lives.   I wish He would.   But He doesnt.   In fact he warns us that the sufferings of Christ are ours IN ABUNDANCE.    Cheers Lord.  Thanks for that!    But what He does do is comfort us IN our suffering.   

What does the comfort of God look like?   Is it hugs and cuddles and chocolate biscuits?
Well, in my experience it's not often that.   It is perhaps more often the comfort of Psalm 23  
Your rod and staff they comfort me.
Hmmmmmmmm
Being comforted with a stick doesnt sound too different from the suffering!!!

The image is of the shepherd taking the sheep through the sheep dip.  Using his crook to hook the sheep round the neck and lead it into the pit , and his staff to dunk the sheep under making sure it is completely covered.   It is a good and caring thing to do for the sheep because it protects it from various ticks and lice and diseases.   But Im sure the sheep doesnt feel particularly ' comforted' at the time!    God leads us and He protects us - sometimes steering us in ways and through things we would not choose for ourselves.  If we submit to Him and dont struggle to get away from His leading we will find we come through His processes stronger and fitter and ready for the task of being sheep.   Ready for those green pastures and quiet waters - which are also God's comfort to us as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death.  

Jesus came to earth to be God With Us.   To experience hunger and pain and loneliness and danger and isolation and prejudice, homelessness, betrayal, anger, bereavement and grief , torture and ultimately death.  So that He could genuinely stand with us in our own sufferings and say ' I know.  I understand.  I am right here.'    

And in turn so that we can say that to others.

Lord, everywhere I look there are people who are going through difficult times.  Bereavement, divorce, financial turmoil, relationship breakdown, health problems - all sorts of trials , most of which I dont know about and cant resolve or make better.   Help me to be a comforter to those I know who are suffering.  Help me to listen, understand, care, and be there.  Give me words of wisdom and comfort.  Let me be a signpost pointing to Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.   Thank you for all the ways You have helped and comforted me when I have been in the storms of life.  Thank you for Your Word, for Your people and for Your precious Holy Spirit.