Saturday May 21st, 2016 2 Corinthians 1:1-11
?for we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself. (verse 8)
During 1969, my Dad experienced very painful throat and lung cancer. His condition was not properly diagnosed, and treatments at that time were very limited. He had terrible, continual coughing spasms for several months, was short of breath and physically shrank before our eyes. My once robust blacksmith father turned into a skeleton while his distress increased daily.
During his final week, Dad pleaded with Mom, “Isn’t there anyone who could take this pain away?” Mom grasped his big hands in hers and replied, “Yes, there is someone.” She then prayed while my agnostic father gasped for breath.
Amazingly, Dad’s painful breathing eased significantly. For the first time I heard him express thanks to a God he had previously questioned even existed. That night he had the first peaceful sleep in six months. He died a few days later in considerably more comfort than he had had for a long time.
Suffering and its possible relief varies from person to person and from circumstance to circumstance. Seeing that miracle of answered prayer, though, has seen me through many difficult times and situations. God does not deny the probability of sufferings in our lives, but God’s comfort is assured.
Your loving comfort come, Lord. Amen. — SO
Contributed by The God of All Comfort
During 1969, my Dad experienced very painful throat and lung cancer. His condition was not properly diagnosed, and treatments at that time were very limited. He had terrible, continual coughing spasms for several months, was short of breath and physically shrank before our eyes. My once robust blacksmith father turned into a skeleton while his distress increased daily.
During his final week, Dad pleaded with Mom, "Isn't there anyone who could take this pain away?" Mom grasped his big hands in hers and replied, "Yes, there is someone." She then prayed while my agnostic father gasped for breath.
Amazingly, Dad's painful breathing eased significantly. For the first time I heard him express thanks to a God he had previously questioned even existed. That night he had the first peaceful sleep in six months. He died a few days later in considerably more comfort than he had had for a long time.
Suffering and its possible relief varies from person to person and from circumstance to circumstance. Seeing that miracle of answered prayer, though, has seen me through many difficult times and situations. God does not deny the probability of sufferings in our lives, but God's comfort is assured.
