Grace* came to one of our East African partner homes last year with her little sister in tow. At just 11 years old, she knew what it meant to be neglected and abandoned, forcing her to become independent far too soon.

As an oldest sibling, I saw myself in Grace instantly. In such a short period of time, she had widened her big sister role to include all of the younger girls and boys in the home. She proudly told me that she was the eldest girl and therefore the leader. I was drawn to her natural spunk and sweet spirit, characteristics she uses to bring joy and nurturing love to the other children.

On our most recent visit, I noticed both of Grace’s wrists were nearly covered in beaded friendship bracelets, each with the name of another little girl in the home. When I finally asked about them, she told me she kept them safe so that no one would lose theirs. In this I saw her protective, loving nature. As she skipped away, taking her place snuggled up next to one of the littlest girls, my heart twisted. 

It would be easy to look at Grace and simply see a beautiful, intelligent young girl who has a huge heart for others. While this is all true, I couldn’t help but be reminded that Grace herself had experienced suffering beyond my comprehension, and I wondered who comforts her. Who does she allow to hold her like she holds her sister and so many other little ones who depend on her? Who sees beneath the armor she’s grown accustomed to wearing?

In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, he wrote to a people who were very familiar with trials, conflict, and suffering. It is no mistake that he began this letter with this blessing and reminder:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV

Paul himself faced persecution so frequently that he intimately understood the effects of trauma on the body and mind. And yet, he had been called to pour himself out again and again for others. For the sake of the Gospel, Paul comforted others with the comfort of God, in the midst of being desperately in need of it. 

Have you ever been in a similar position? Have you, like Grace or like Paul, had to set aside or suppress your personal suffering in order to be there for and comfort others? Does this leave you wondering where to turn for comfort? 

A few things stand out in Paul’s words to the believers in Corinth:

1. God is faithful to comfort us.

In Matthew 5:4, Jesus addressed the crowds, saying, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” 
This is a promise. God wants to comfort you in your suffering. In fact, He delights in it. Just as God comforts the orphan, He is faithful to hold and comfort you.

2. God empowers us to comfort others.

Because God supplies us with His comfort, we can comfort others—even when we feel like we have nothing left to give. When you feel burnt out and emotionally spent, lean into God’s comfort to help you as you come alongside others who are suffering. You are not expected to shoulder it alone.

3. All true comfort comes from God.

While we are empowered to comfort others, we must remember that God is the source of all true comfort. Any comfort and love that we show to others is an overflow of the comfort He has shown to us.

We look to all sorts of things for comfort—entertainment, food, hobbies, and even relationships, just to name a few. Paul reminds us that we serve the God of all comfort, meaning that all other forms of comfort that this world has to offer are not built to last. If we keep reaching back into our own well without turning to God for support, we will come up empty.

As people who have heard God’s call to care for orphans and followed His lead, we need God to comfort our hearts so that we are able to comfort the vulnerable and suffering in this world.

In what areas of your life do you need to lean into God’s comfort today?

*Her name has been changed to protect her identity.

With over 25 years of experience and a network of like-minded people around the globe, The Boaz Project can help you show Christ’s love to scared and abandoned children.

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