2 Corinthians 1 ³Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Each of us faces troubles in our day. Some of us are struggling with food, some with addictions, some with relationships and some with just about everything. When we are in the middle of these troubles, it is easy to forget that we do not have to face them alone.

Many, if not most, of us have people that lean on us when they go through difficulties. And yet we struggle to reach out and allow others to help us back.

How easy is it to accept a compliment? Many of us have a tendency to minimize what we have done with statements like, "oh, it wasn't that big of a deal" or "anyone would have done it" or similar things when a simple "Thank You" would be enough.

I was fortunate to have someone confront me on that with a question, "Why are you stealing my blessing?" They were giving me support and it was a blessing to them to be able to do it. I was stealing it by not accepting it. "Stealing blessings" - When we don't reach out to others and allow them to help us, we are "stealing their blessing" as well. We rob them of a gift they are trying to give whether something as simple as a compliment or as difficult as their time.

 Isn't it awesome that God takes our troubles and uses them to comfort others who are going through similar difficulties! Nothing is wasted in His world and He uses everything that happens through our choices to His glory...if we let Him.

Lord, help me in this day to allow myself to be comforted by You and by Your people. Help me to be available to others as a comforter.

BE ENCOURAGED for we can do ALL things through Him!!

Drink Water, Eat well, Exercise....