Comfort.
Such a peaceful word, right? Say it again.
Comfort.
In 2 Corinthians 1, Paul says that God comforts us in ALL of our afflictions (ESV, NRSV), troubles (NLT, NIV), tribulation (NAS, KJV)—whatever. God comforts us when things are going really bad. And with the comfort that we receive from God, we are able to comfort others during their afflictions, troubles, and tribulation, and on and on.
If you are experiencing job despair, the soul-crushing, burden-bearing, despair and despondency kind, you are not alone. Thousands and thousands of people have unfulfilling jobs. And many of these people are Christians. God doesn’t want us to live like this! (See upcoming devotionals on Psalm 6).
If you are like me, though, you haven’t found a lot of empathy among your fellow Christians. I have made the mistake of sharing my troubles with other Christ followers and sadly, I learned real quick not to do it.
What Are We To Do?
Unfortunately, judgmental responses, i.e. “you shouldn’t say that,” “you should be grateful for a job,” etc. etc. as well as many other issues, will remain until Christ returns.
But now there is an alternative. You can come together with other like-minded people. People who are empathetic to your situation. People who won’t judge. People who have or have had the same afflictions, troubles, and tribulations. Other Harps on Willows.
If you are interested in participating in our online community, contact Harps On Willows today. The community prays for each other, has a weekly tweet time, and a closed FB page for prayer requests, praises, debriefing bad days, an empathetic ear, and a place to find comfort and understanding.
People—we need each other. We need a safe place to share, vent, discuss, and seek encouragement in this “hard-to-cope-with-situation” with Christ in the midst.
I look forward to hearing from you. And I especially look forward to continuing to pray for you as you pray for me.
Prayer:
Father God, God of all comfort, I pray that you will send other Christians who are experiencing the soul-crushing oppression of a hated job to Harps On Willows. God, we need the encouragement of a community, people who understand. Not that we are trying to set ourselves apart form the body of Christ, but that we may be effective parts of the body of the Christ, better ministers, better missionaries. Oh Father God, You know how oppression distresses Your people. Please be with everyone right now who is in this horrible situation. Let them know that You are with them. Holy Spirit pray for them in their distress. Jesus, reach out and touch each of us that we may be comforted through You. You stand at the right hand of God the Father, and we are trusting You to intercede on our behalf. How can we ever thank you? Oh Jesus! May all praise be Yours for now and forevermore. In the comforting Name of Jesus, Amen.