Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
—2 Corinthians 1:3-11

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Season of Comfort
by Jennifer Kane

Blessed be God, the Comforting One,
Who steadies my soul like the warmth of the sun.
In summer’s hush or sorrow’s sting,
He holds my heart through everything.

When breezes blow through branches high,
Or storm winds stir a weeping sky,
He shelters me beneath His wing—
The Lord of peace, my offering.

The sunlight rests on open fields,
A taste of rest His presence yields.
In laughter, silence, toil, or tears,
His comfort anchors all my fears.

He is the stillness in the heat,
The shade beneath my weary feet,
The stream that flows when prayers run dry,
The song that rises with a sigh.

Though trials come and strength may bend,
His mercies fall and never end.
And when I’m broken, bruised, or worn,
He comforts so I may adorn—

With grace, the ones who hurt like me,
And share His hope, abundantly.
From summer days to winter’s chill,
He is my refuge—constant, still.

O God of comfort, near and true,
Each season starts and ends in You.
Let me not waste this peace I find,
But use it with a comforted mind—

To lift the hearts of those in pain,
And point them gently through the rain.
So praise be Yours, both now and then—
The God who comforts… again and again.

~~~~~

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Summer is often associated with carefree days—sunshine, picnics, late sunsets, laughter with loved ones. But it can also be a season of struggle. The heat can be intense, tempers can flare, routines may unravel, and loneliness can feel sharper when everyone else seems to be enjoying life.

In 2 Corinthians 1:3–11, Paul reminds us that God is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort—even (and especially) when the days are long and the burdens feel heavy. Paul writes to a community familiar with affliction. His words remind us that suffering is never wasted when we let God work through it.

Like the shade of a leafy tree or the relief of a cool breeze on a scorching day, God’s comfort meets us where we are—not to remove every hardship, but to strengthen our hearts and soften our pain. His comfort is deep, personal, and powerful enough to be passed along to others.

Paul explains that our suffering enables us to understand and minister to others. Just as no summer is free from storms or heat waves, no life is free from trials. Yet God’s comfort is like a river running through the desert, bringing life wherever it flows.

The warmth of the sun can be healing—but too much can exhaust us. Likewise, God’s presence is always near, but we sometimes need shade, rest, and stillness to feel His peace.

Summer storms can come unexpectedly. But the refreshment of rain revives the earth—just as God revives our hearts after tears and trials.

Fireflies at night are small lights in deep darkness. So is the comfort we receive from God—a flicker of hope that lights the way for others.

Campfires draw people together. The shared experiences of hardship and healing can become places of deeper connection and testimony.

This week, take time to be a source of comfort to someone else:
Write a letter to someone who’s grieving or discouraged.
Invite a lonely friend for iced tea and conversation.
Share how God has comforted you in a past season—and listen well in return.

Remember, every summer needs shade, and every soul needs shelter. Be both, in Jesus’ name.

~~~~~

Father of Compassion, Thank You for being near in every season. In my moments of exhaustion, when I feel like I’m melting under the pressures of life, You are my cool shade. You whisper peace into the heat of my sorrow and strengthen me to keep going. Help me to remember that the comfort You give is not just for me—but for others too. Let me be a stream of Your mercy in someone else’s desert today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

June 25 2025