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

Two Key Words:
Compassion = oyk-tir-mos’ – deep feeling about someone’s difficulty or misfortune; pity, favor, grace, mercy. Describes the deep feelings God has for all of us, and shares in with those who follow Him.
Comfort = par-ak’-lay-sis = a calling (urging) to one’s aid, encouragement, done by someone “close beside,” i.e. a personal exhortation
“So That” – God’s comfort is never just for our benefit.
Question: What have you “received?”
Compare: Colossians 3:12-13

Listening is the first step in “speaking.”
“Listening is an active process that requires work but demonstrates caring.”

• Job 2:11-13
• James 1:19
• Mark 10:46-52

Ask Good Questions

• Be patient (1 Corinthians 13:4 – Love is patient…)
• Open-ended questions – not ones answered with “yes” or “no”
• Don’t be afraid of silence.
• Be reflective (“I’m hearing you say… Is that right?”)
• Notice what “else” is being “said” (body language, gestures, tears.)
• Notice what is not being said (avoided topics.)

Isaiah 50:4-5

• Seek to have “an instructed tongue.”
  The “word that sustains the weary” is usually simple, compassionate & true.

Have “awakened” ears - be an active listener. (Be ready to learn - “one being taught”)

Are there:

• Physical issues to discuss? (pain, medical, financial)
• Emotional issues to discuss? (anger, loneliness, fear, confusion)
• Spiritual issues to discuss? (doubt, why, guilt, forgiveness, death)
  Am I “rebellious” – am I drawing back from God’s prompting? Am I avoiding something?