Testimony of Comfort

A man in Ethiopia suffered a great loss. His home was burned, and two of his children, ages 7 and 12, died in the flames. He had already experienced loneliness, being the only Christian in his village. Muslims taunted and threatened him, and finally, one day, they allegedly set his house on fire. When other Christians helped him rebuild his home and start work again, their love changed him. He told the believers, “By the love you have shown me, I am now comforted in my mourning.” His neighbors expected him never to have joy again, but by God’s grace, his whole demeanor changed. He said, “This has even surprised my unbelieving neighbors who thought I would be lonely and depressed forever.” When Christians comforted him, Muslims could see that this comfort was foreign from their experience—that it was from Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and 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. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.—2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Source: Open Doors