Visual art, music, dance, drama, writing....in these things people find great comfort. A painting to get lost in, a song to carry you away, a dance that puts a bounce in your step, a play that transports you to another time & place, or a written piece that makes you think & feel in a deeper way. The arts are known to help people heal mentally, physically, and emotionally. There is power there that is often underappreciated because it is difficult to chart or extrapolate. In my own life, I know there are works of art that I revisit like an old friend...seeing them brings a sense of peace, joy, & comfort. There are songs that envelop me like loved ones' arms....whispering truth to me as they hold me close. Eyes must be diverted & songs come to an end, but thankful are those of us that know the power of the arts...even for a temporary diversion from the experiences that challenge us.
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.
2 Corinthians 1: 3-4
In John 16:33...scripture lets us know "In this world you will have trouble." It isn't "IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE" or "MAYBE YOU'LL HAVE TROUBLE".....it is "YOU. WILL. HAVE. TROUBLE."! Trouble takes many forms. Some is self inflicted....bad choices catching up with us. Some is inflicted by others. Sometimes nature inflicts trouble into our life. Sometimes trouble happens, and we see no one or no thing to blame. God has never promised us a trouble free life. Things are going to happen. However, the question is....HOW WILL YOU RESPOND? For the believer, as we get to know our God & learn of His truths...we can find comfort in Him! As we continue to grow in our faith & have opportunity to trust Him with our "troubles"....we will see He is always there, always loving, and always faithful. Through these experiences we can take these truths & comfort those God puts in our path that are experiencing their own troubles. We can approach them with great compassion, understanding, and love....because we have received the same!
IN THIS WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE. BUT TAKE HEART!
I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.