The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Corinthians 1:3-5, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;
4 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.
5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.”

I awoke this morning to the chilling temperature of 1o Fahrenheit. With my furnace straining to pump warmth into the house, I
prayed for those who lacked the blessing of warmth. Snow covers the ground. Gloom abounds, as heavy clouds shut out the
brilliance and heat of the sun. Somewhat shamefully, I acknowledge being comfortable, while knowing that there are those who
battle for encouragement.

It’s worth noting that Paul mentions “comfort” six times in our three verses, twice the number of times he mentions “affliction”
and “suffering.” He shares with us that God is the Father of compassion ((oiktirmos) and encouragement (paraklesis). Afflictions
have their own variety. Loneliness and rejection are mental afflictions. Sickness is a physical affliction, which often negatively encourages
our misperception of reality. In any event, with the apostle, the comfort the LORD provides blankets them all.

Today’s email shares the intentional discomfort suffered by missionaries, who value the redemption of native people far above their own
benefits in life. Their value of suffering measures well with that of the Apostle Paul, who rested himself in the LORD’s comfort and
disavowed suffering as of nothing at all. Military personnel suffer separation from their families and loved ones. Yet, it is the separation of
souls from Christ –eternal separation—that the LORD seeks to terminate. He gave His Life on the Cross that we might be saved from sin,
and escape eternal separation from Him. Is it right that we who are saved should neglect to share Him and His salvation with others? It is
through telling others of Him that we gain the truest comfort. Indeed, “…our comfort is abundant through Christ.”

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom