Wendi's Words

I love how when I’m studying a particular passage in scripture,  a particular word or phrase jumps out at me and compels me to, for the moment, focus on that specific word or phrase. Recently, I’ve been studying my way through the book of Philippians. I was just beginning chapter 2 and looking at verse 1:

“Therefore if [there is] any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,”

I paused at the phrase “any consolation in Christ” and contemplated…if Jesus was consoling me or others, what would He say? In other translations, the word “consolation” is translated “encouragement”, “comfort”, or “exhortation”.The word “consolation” (paraklesis) is from the Greek root “parakleo” which means to “call to one’s side, to summon” and “to speak to in the way of exhortation, comfort, instruction”. This tells me that the comfort of God is mine if I would call on Him.   How would Jesus encourage me? I looked in the gospels to see exactly what Jesus said to comfort and encourage those around Him. Here’s what I found:

1.Do not worry. (Matthew 6:25-34)

2. Keep seeking and asking. (Matthew 7:7-12)

3. I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:25-30)

4. God the  Father gives His children good gifts. (Luke 11:13)

5. Jesus said He came to give us abundant life. (John 10:10)

6. Let not your heart be troubled. (John 14:1-6)

7. Peace, I give you. (John 14:25-27)

8. Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

These are just some of the verses I found where Jesus was offering encouragement and comfort to those whom He was teaching. I plan to look at each of these portions of scripture individually…to better discern and digest how to look to God for my comfort and strength; to brand His peace on my heart that it might become part of me. And then in turn, how I might be a comfort and encouragement to others.

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