“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.” 1 Corinthians 1:3-4

It was right after Bible Study when Vicki came up to me. I could tell she was flustered as she blurted out, “I need a hug!” So I gave her a big one and could feel the tension dissolve. After she let go, she explained what had led to her terrible day. I listened. She then asked some questions. I answered. She smiled.

Ministry is sometimes just that simple. When I am blessed to be part of helping someone who is dealing with worry, stress or anxiety, the blessing received in return is simply indescribable. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to be on the receiving end of a Jesus kind of hug. And it made a HUGE difference.

There is a story in Luke 5 where Jesus walked up to a leper who was on his knees BEGGING for a healing. In all 3 accounts it says Jesus ‘touched him with His hand.’ But there seems to be more to it than that! The Greek infers there was a full body embrace! Something NO one would do to a leper! Except Jesus!

Stress, anxiousness, worry, fear and doubt are the leprous lesions that continue to cover all of society these days. With what is going on in the political arena, I was going out of my mind. Then I went to see tough guy Mike. We don’t see eye to eye on every Biblical thing. But as we talked, His words became a hug!

The world is a mess. And NONE of us are immune, even Jesus’ people. But today’s verse reminds us that WE are to be Jesus’ COMFORTERS. I read that a 6 second hug releases serotonin and oxytocin into the body of BOTH parties, giving a sense of safety, comfort, empathy and calm. Something we could ALL use.

I think I’m going to work on becoming a little more like my earthy and heavenly fathers… and hug more! How about YOU?