paraklesis

[toad]

“It’s not what you do, but how much love you put into it that matters.”
Mother Teresa

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV

The reason God comforts us in all our troubles, is so that further down the road we can comfort others. In my troubles I have found comfort in knowing a loving God, I have found solace in my communion with God alone. But comfort also comes from family and friends whom God has comforted in like ways. There is nothing anymore comforting than to be with and hear from someone who has gone through what you are going through. The original Greek word used for comfort in this Scripture is “paraklesis.” One of the meanings in the Greek is solace. Webster defines the word solace as, “an easing of grief, loneliness, discomfort, etc.” I find solace in knowing God and those sent my way in times of troubles. I must continue to be grateful, true comfort and solace has no price. It cannot be bought. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself………………….toad

[cmc]

comfort also comes from family and friends whom God has comforted in like ways.

Yep, from people here at SR, people here on this Christian forum where we share, encourage and pray for one another.
thanks for sharing this with us Toad!
cmc

[GlassPrisoner]

There is nothing anymore comforting than to be with and hear from someone who has gone through what you are going through

Yup.

We will not regret the past, not wish to shut the door on it.

No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how out experience can benifit others.

[best]

I drive 25 miles to church one way, on Sundays. There are 6 or 7 other churches of the same denomination that I could attent that are closer or that I pass along my route.

For the same reason I feel comfort from Jesus is the same reason I drive to my church.
In Jesus' arms...I feel at home.
At the church I attend...it feels like home.
I was born anew among the people of that church and they have become family.
The love they share (His love) is what gives me that paraklesis but I don't know Greek so I will just say... they are family and I feel a solace among Jesus' love that fills them.

Thank you Toad for adding more depth to my understanding of God's word.