Who Are the Best Comforters?
Those who have suffered most are often best able to comfort others. I know of pastors whose ministries have been enriched by suffering. Through their trials they have learned to live through the difficulties of people in their church family. Someone who has experienced the same sort of pain is the one who can minister best. But don’t say, “I know how you feel.” You don’t. No one knows exactly how another feels. Better to say, “I can’t know how you feel, but this is how I was comforted.” Our sufferings may be difficult to bear, but they teach us lessons that in turn equip and enable us to help others. Only God’s Spirit can truly mend a broken heart, but we can be a part of the healing process. To be a comforter we don’t need to be a preacher or a psychiatrist. We just need to be available, as Christ is available to us. When Jesus was comforting His disciples before He left them, they were confused, questioning and frightened. He said, “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again
