How about some COMFORT FOOD?

The old adage is still true: No pain . . . No gain.  But how?  That's the question, isn't it?  It's not that we want our pain to go to waste, we just don't know how to spend it!  Hopefully, this article will help. How can you waste PAIN?  Horde it.  Anytime we horde things, they get wasted.  But when we share them, the energy gets multiplied.  For example, if you keep food and let it ruin, neither you nor anyone else receives the benefit from it.  It's chocked full of nutrients, vitamins, energy, and health; but allowed to sit on the shelf, it just rots.  And if it's sitting next to other food, it will cause it to spoil prematurely also. However, if you give that food to someone who needs it, someone wonderful happens.  They now receive strength from it, the food doesn't go to waste, the recipient is made stronger, and there is a new friend to help provide food for others, thereby cutting the load in half.  Whereas one had to bear it all alone, now two are refreshed and enabled to not only carry on, but provide comfort food for others as well. The same applies with our pain.  Paul said this in his letter to the Corinthians,  All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT)   So this is the deal, as you receive God's comfort you have a choice to make.  I can multiply God's comfort into the lives of others, or I can horde God's comfort.  The only problem with refusing to spend the comfort of God is that over time, unless it's worked out, it becomes a flabby muscle that gets weaker and weaker. Paul went on to say, Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us. 2 Corinthians 1:6-7 (NLT)  Did you catch it?  We must get this!  The then is so important and must become the now of our lives.  When you help others, regardless of the reason, whether suffering for the Gospel's sake, or because of something we did or something that was done to us, by comforting others great things happen.  This is the equation: Add + a friend | divide  / the pain | multiply X the benefits | then subtract - the lingering effects.  Each time you apply the formula to your pain, look what happens to it.  It keeps getting smaller.  Why? Because you're willing to spend it in the lives of others, rather than keeping it to yourself.  Don't horde it -spend it! Then God will receive the praise and glory, you will have helped a friend, and you will receive the blessings and rewards for faithfully serving.  Not a bad exchange! May God bless you this week as you apply the Truths that Expose the Myths about your PAIN.  Go ahead! Have some COMFORT FOOD today! Pastor Steve