2 Cor. 1:3–5 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. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. Read the context Can you care for someone else when you haven't been cared for? It isn't recommended. Showing kindness from emptiness is...

James 1:2–4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Read the context The basketball team runs wind sprints after an embarrassing loss. It isn't punishment, it's physical and mental training for the next battle. Trials — persecution or temptation — can look like undo hardship. But God...

Deut. 10:12–13 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good? Read the context There are moments when you hate rules... especially overbearing ones. But you can't deny the fact that rules can be good — they create order and safety. God's law is more...