Comfort in all tribulation

 "Blessed be... the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation..." -2 Corinthians 1:3-4

All leaves nothing out.

 Perhaps my greatest tribulation at the moment is a mere backache. Or perhaps the time comes when the backache seems like nothing next to extreme loss. 

Perhaps the tribulation is a battle in the mind- perplexities, emotions that pull all different directions, confusing thoughts, lies... Or perhaps it is outward circumstances that have you confused. 

Perhaps it's extreme difficulty. But more often than not, our tribulations come in small packages that on the outside don't appear very threatening, until we find ourselves overwhelmed afresh with our own inability to take another step. 

Whatever the tribulation may be, in every one of them, Jesus draws near in order to comfort.

Never will He speak words of condemnation to the soul in distress. His aim is to encourage -which is to infuse with courage- so that you might get up and take another step with joy. 

Oh, doubting one, though you view yourself unworthy of His time and attention, He still gives it because He loves you.

Though your tribulation may seem petty, He notices how it weighs on you. It draws Him to you. His response is always compassion -never nit picking about how you could be handling it better. 

Why, you ask?

He has been there too... 

He experienced stronger temptations than you or I ever will, simply because He never would give in. 

He knows the pull, the weights, the perplexities of life. 

He understands what it is to have the devil try mind games with you when you're already weak. 

He knows what it is to never have time for yourself and feel beaten down by life because of it. 

He knows what sleepless nights are, what exhaustion is, what giving up everything you have for others feels like...

He draws near to you in comfort and encouragement because He knows from experience that that is what your soul needs -not condemnation, not accusation, not fault-finding, not criticism... These aren't His voice speaking. 

Jesus "comforts us in all our tribulation..." Remember? All leaves nothing out.

If you're hearing the voice of condemnation in your tribulation -those "you-should-have's" or the "It's-all-your-fault" thoughts, say a decided "no" to that voice -it's not Jesus.

And then look up, expecting a kind Savior with compassion in His eyes drawing near to you with sweet comfort. 

You'll know it's Him by the peace rustling through your soul. You'll sense the warmth of His love thawing the icy cold lies of the Devil that alienated you from God. You'll see the beauty again in the little gifts He gives daily that before were missed. Gratitude and praise will well up in your soul.

Ah, that is His work, my friend. He does indeed comfort us in all our tribulations!