22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
That Word alive within our thoughts delivers to us all that we will ever need to transform us into the child that Our Father calls us to become, when doing all that He asks of us. There is a dilemma here for we are invited to sacrifice much of that which is granted to us through our life's journey, to share with those whom Our Father introduces to us, that we may understand that sitting at The Father's banqueting table also includes passing our plate of plenty to those seated next to us.
Our practical assistance need not always be money. Kindness, understanding, and practical advice offered to a person in need also reflects the presence of Our Saviour guiding us to help another find their way out of a desperate dilemma. Our patience coping with an overwrought person, keeping them calm, leading them through their nightmarish challenges into resolving their overwhelming difficulties reflects the influence of The One abiding at our side, rewarding us with His presence when we are in need of practical help.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
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