Self-care is tricky. Yes, it’s important. But, self-care won’t justify a fifth weekday golfing. Rule: If you mention self-care often, you probably don’t need it. Wanna notice things around you instead? Second Corinthians 1:3-4 offers fresh eyes to see and serve the needs around you.

#1 Receive before rescuing. “…the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction… (2 Cor. 1:3-4). Comfort is received from God—it’s rarely about working smarter or harder. The idea here is joining God—walking with Him. It’s tough to give comfort that you’ve never received. Maybe your earthly father wasn’t around. Recognize that God is always near. Comfort isn’t laziness or healing from all pain. It’s about encouragement, guidance, and strength from God.

#2 Pain becomes purpose. “…so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction” (2 Cor. 1:4). God doesn’t waste pain, He uses it. Maybe He doesn’t completely remove all suffering from your life, but He’s always with you. Affliction can mean inner stress or variables outside of you. Paul mentioned plots to kill him, persecution, and stoning. God didn’t deliver him from everything. But was God with Paul? Paul could encourage others because he’d experience it from God.

#3 Comfort from comfort. “…with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Cor. 1:4). The comfort you’ve get is meant to be shared. When you model mercy, your family sees it and is more likely to do the same. Notice that because Paul had suffered and found comfort, he could comfort others.

Overcoming Generational Curses: Sometimes, we say that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. In other words, kids often replicate the actions of their ancestors—whether for good or for bad. When that legacy is marked by a struggle with sin, many chalk it up to a “generational curse.” But is that really the best way to define an individual’s ongoing struggle with sin? This article examines what the Bible says about generational curses—and the ultimate cure for every human being’s struggle with sin.

How To Look for the Overlooked: It started as a simple family phrase: “Look for the overlooked.” But Lawson’s daughter Olivia flipped it, asking if maybe one of the people you’re overlooking is yourself—or a version of yourself you’ve neglected for too long. In this episode, we unpack what it means to notice the unseen—not just in others, but in the parts of ourselves we’ve pushed aside in the name of productivity.

C. S. Lewis: “You have never met a mere mortal; every person you encounter bears eternal weight.”

Max Lucado: “God never wastes a hurt; what He comforts in you, He plans to minister through you.”

Receive + Reflect. Paul knew, on his own, he couldn’t comfort anyone. Comfort comes from God. Comfort should flow through you and into your family. Imagine a family culture of comfort—24/7 encouragement, help, and pointing each other to God. Two quick ideas. RECEIVE God’s comfort in the mornings. Hear God speak from His Word. Allow Scripture to shape your view of God rather than any earthly experience you’ve had. REFLECT by asking yourself: Do I recognize God’s comfort in my life? Do I look for ways to comfort my family? Remember: God doesn’t comfort you to make you comfortable—He comforts you so you’ll comfort others.

Kent Evans
Author of Don’t Bench Yourself, co-founder of Manhood Journey

P.S. Was this Mountain Monday helpful? Tell me if you love it, hate it, or if there’s something you’d like in the next one.

Forward this to a dad you know who needs some encouragement.