Oxygen Please

2 Corinthians 1:3-4. 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.

I settled into my seat, clicked the seatbelt, and waited for the rumble that would speed me on my way. I popped a piece of gum in my mouth as we cleared for takeoff, hoping to relieve any popping that might occur in my ears, and pulled out my iPad to dig into my newest biography.

My reverie was broken by the Captain’s voice coming over the loudspeaker. “Ladies and gentlemen, please give your attention to the flight attendants closest to you as they demonstrate safety instructions.” I turned my focus to the well dressed attendant as he proceeded to point out the nearest exits and explain what to do in case of an emergency.

“Should the cabin experience a loss in pressure, stay calm. Oxygen masks will drop down from above your seat.” He demonstrated while the Captain continued. “Place the mask over your mouth and nose. Pull the strap to tighten it. If you are traveling with children, make sure that your own mask is on first before helping the children.”

The voice droned on, but my mind wandered to thoughts about the instruction to put your own  mask on before helping others. What good would I be to my children or others if I fainted from lack of oxygen? It only makes sense to secure my own safety first so that I could be fully functional to help others with their needs.

As logical as this sounds, why do we not take the same advice when it comes to spiritual matters? It is easy to go days, or maybe even weeks, without reading our Bibles and praying. Yet when someone else is hurting, we want to try to help them and give them Godly advice. But that is hard to do when our supply of Godly wisdom has dwindled to the point where we are fainting away with our own problems and concerns.

God is a Father of mercies and a God of all comfort. In order to experience His peace in times of affliction we need to know Him. The only way to do that is to listen to what He says by reading His Word and by talking to Him through prayer. As we live our lives day by day, breathing in all that He offers and trusting Him through life’s difficulties, we gain personal strength and spiritual vigor. Then when someone else is in need, we will have the resources to comfort them as God has comforted us.

Do you want to be ready to help those near you who are
experiencing difficulties? Then put on your oxygen mask first.

Love,

Mama