Girlie shares on Encouragement

This week Girlie shared with us from II Corinthians 1:3-5

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. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

Some of my notes on what she shared:

Discouragement:

We all face discouragement for many reasons. When we are discouraged we don't remember how to get better so it is important for us to encourage one another.

Four reasons to be encouraged:

1. God is a God of Encouragement
   
   v3: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort
   
   Psalm 86:5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.
   


2. God is there in our afflictions
   
   v4: …who comforts us in all our troubles,
   
   James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
   


3. We can be a comfort to others
   
   v4: …so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
   
   As we give comfort to others we glorify God. It also makes us feel good.
   


4. Our comfort flows through Jesus
   
   v5: For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
   
   We receive, through Christ, by faith, comfort whenever we are discouraged.