“It is impossible to accept Christianity for the sake of finding comfort: but the Christian tries to lay himself open to the will of God, to do what God wants him to do. You don’t know in advance whether God is going to set you to do something difficult or painful.” (C.S. Lewis)
“Christ calls us to a higher mission than to find comfort and tranquility in this life. Love of family is a law of God, but even this love can be self-serving and used as an excuse not to serve God or do His work.” (Life Application Study, Matthew 10:34-39)
“It’s so easy to become self-deceived and comfortable. That’s what sin is all about.” (Father John Zeyack)
“You’ll live much more peacefully and comfortably if you live transparently, not doing anything you wouldn’t want God to see." (Bob Barnes)
“Nothing can be hidden from God. He knows about everyone everywhere, and everything about us is wide open to His all-seeing eyes. God sees all we do and knows all we think. Even when we are unaware of His presence, He is there. When we try to hide from Him, He sees us. We can have no secrets from God. It is comforting to realize that although God knows us intimately, He still loves us.” (Life Application Study Bible, Hebrews 4:13)
“… Apostle Paul constantly emphasizes the connection between comfort and sufferings…Saint Paul asserts that our comfort comes from God especially in tribulation (2 Cor 1:4). Christ suffered as we humans suffer; He understands our sufferings because He fully endured human pain. Hence our afflictions become co-sufferings, assuring us that even pain has meaning and holy purpose.” (Dynamis 8/6/2015)
“We may not like it, we may want a God who is more like a Grandfather than a father ,who will gather us together at the end of time and say "and a good time was had by all.” (C.S. Lewis)
But it doesn't work that way. Christianity never, ever promises otherwise. It does promise growth and comfort during struggle and suffering because Christ transformed suffering on the cross and made it a means for our personal growth…. Every challenge we face, sickness in ourselves or loved ones included, is an opportunity for our growth.” (Sacramental Living)
“God calls us to commitment, not to comfort. He promises to be with us through suffering and hardship, not to spare us from them.” (Life Application Study Bible, Acts 9:15, 16)
“Saint Paul uses the words “comfort” and “consolation”… no less than six times in this epistle[2 Corinthians 1:1-7]….The apostle uses “comfort” to describe God, the “Father of mercies,” calling Him “God of all comfort” who “comforts us in all our tribulation” (vss. 3-4). The very nature of God the Father is to console and comfort. Comfort likewise characterizes the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.” (Dynamis 8/6/2015)
“St Paul…"God comforts us in our sorrow so that we might comfort others . . . . in their time of tribulation." (2 Cor. 1:4). In my own personal experience, I have discovered the truth in these majestic words. I have learned that out of the painful crucible of my own suffering, I was able to find within me a well-spring of strength that I never knew I possessed. I acquired a deepened understanding of the human condition, a greater sensitivity and compassion for the sufferings of others, and a heightened ability to share with others my conviction in the sureness of ultimate victory.” (Rev Andrew J Demotses)
#RevAndrewDemotses #BobBarnes #FatherJohnZeyack #CSLewis #SacramentalLiving