Comforted by God, a Lectio DivinaSample

Day 4: God of Endless Comfort

Simply press the play button to experience the comfort of having the day’s content read to you.

Devotional:

I think of all the countless times I was scooped up by my mom as a little as she tended to my skinned knees and my broken heart. She felt ever-present and attuned like none other to my needs. This level of compassion and care I experienced has made it feel like second nature to me to offer the same to my daughters. Scooping them up and pulling them close to my body to help regulate them, comfort them, and console them. Speaking tenderly to them and reassuring them I was right there and all would be well. We would get through this together.

Might you need to experience this kind of endless compassion, this scooping up?

Grab your journal and find a comfortable place to sit, with no distractions, open to what God may have for you. I will guide you through this practice. Close your eyes, take a deep breath.

As I read this verse for the FIRST time, ask yourself, “What is this verse saying?” At any point, pause the audio if you need more time.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 from The Passion Translation, “All praises belong to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he is the Father of tender mercy and the God of endless comfort. He always comes alongside us to comfort us in every suffering so that we can come alongside those who are in any painful trial. We can bring them this same comfort that God has poured out upon us.”

As I read this verse for the SECOND time, listen for a word or phrase that shimmers - that catches your attention. Maybe you experience a tightening of your chest, knots in your stomach, tears in your eyes, or a sense of resonance or resistance. Listen for a word that causes a response or feeling.

All praises belong to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he is the Father of tender mercy and the God of endless comfort. He always comes alongside us to comfort us in every suffering so that we can come alongside those who are in any painful trial. We can bring them this same comfort that God has poured out upon us.

As I read this verse for the THIRD time, ask God to show you- why that word or phrase? What does this word mean for your life and what you’re experiencing?

All praises belong to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he is the Father of tender mercy and the God of endless comfort. He always comes alongside us to comfort us in every suffering so that we can come alongside those who are in any painful trial. We can bring them this same comfort that God has poured out upon us.

Is there an invitation from God? Listen for a response from God.

As I read this verse for the FOURTH time, the invitation is to rest in God, like a child rests against his mother, trusting and knowing everything you need is there for you in God. Rest in the presence of God.

All praises belong to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he is the Father of tender mercy and the God of endless comfort. He always comes alongside us to comfort us in every suffering so that we can come alongside those who are in any painful trial. We can bring them this same comfort that God has poured out upon us.

Now, open your eyes and slowly allow yourself a moment before you move from this experience with God. Consider journaling and talking with God about this word and what it means for you.

Want to continue to journal and explore the word that stood out to you? Perhaps take the letters of your word or short phrase and stack them one on top of another in a column. Starting with the first letter of your column, write whatever comes to you, using that letter as the beginning letter of a word or phrase. Don't edit anything at this point. Just write whatever comes to you as you chew on your word or short phrase. Continue this until you have words and/or short phrases for each of your letters.

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