Morning Devotional 012826 Holding Space

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

January 28, 2026

2 Corinthians 2:1-11

1 From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, and Timothy our brother. To God’s church that is in Corinth, along with all of God’s people throughout Achaia. 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ. 3 May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed! He is the compassionate Father and God of all comfort. 4 He’s the one who comforts us in all our trouble so that we can comfort other people who are in every kind of trouble. We offer the same comfort that we ourselves received from God. 5 That is because we receive so much comfort through Christ in the same way that we share so many of Christ’s sufferings. 6 So if we have trouble, it is to bring you comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is to bring you comfort from the experience of endurance while you go through the same sufferings that we also suffer. 7 Our hope for you is certain, because we know that as you are partners in suffering, so also you are partners in comfort. 8 Brothers and sisters, we don’t want you to be unaware of the troubles that we went through in Asia. We were weighed down with a load of suffering that was so far beyond our strength that we were afraid we might not survive. 9 It certainly seemed to us as if we had gotten the death penalty. This was so that we would have confidence in God, who raises the dead, instead of ourselves. 10 God rescued us from a terrible death, and he will rescue us. We have set our hope on him that he will rescue us again, 11 since you are helping with your prayer for us. Then many people can thank God on our behalf for the gift that was given to us through the prayers of many people.

Good Morning! By God’s grace, let there be peace on Earth! 

We will all have suffering to endure. No one asks to suffer, but it is certain to come. With each challenge we endure, we grow into stronger people. One of the strengths we develop is to rely on others. 

Most of you probably remember the 70s hit by Helen Reddy, I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar.” It became a mantra for me and many women coming of age at that time. In some areas, it helped me believe that I could accomplish difficult things, but the words also pushed me to be self-reliant. This can be good to a point, but there are times when we have to humble ourselves and ask for help. 

Here I sit, more than fifty years later, reflecting upon my blessings and challenges. I have so many things for which to be thankful, but I have also experienced great suffering. Despite everything, I have learned that God will sit with me in my times of happiness and sorrow, and that Jesus will lead me to a better tomorrow. 

By God’s grace, I am learning how to hold space with those who are suffering. It is difficult to know when to speak, when to listen, and when to simply sit together. I constantly thank God for helping me in my discernment and allowing me to use my personal education in suffering to be there for others in their times of need.

Redeeming Lord, you bless us abundantly! Thank you for being with us and helping us learn to be strong. Help us be there for others when they need us. Thank you. We love you. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Thought for the day: Our presence can comfort those who grieve; no words are needed.

God is always with us! Pastor Liz