When the world leaves you cold, reach for the Comforter.
Church sign in Cullman, AL
Small-town church sign delivering some wisdom today, friends! The Bible tells us that God is our Comforter:
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.
Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 NLT
My favorite verse here is verse 4: “He comforts us in all our troubles [ … wait for it … ] so that we can comfort others.” The comfort He gives isn’t meant for us to keep all to ourselves but is meant instead for sharing. He has a plan, friends!
Whatever we’re up against today, we know our Father God, our Comforter is in control and working all things for good, even when our circumstances are bitterly cold, seemingly hopeless, out of our control, chaotic and unfair. HE has the final say!
This fallen world, filled with imperfect people exercising our free and often selfish will, is not our real home … Heaven is! But because we have Christ living within us, we also have His divine love and strength and comfort and wisdom and peace living within us, right here on Earth, right there for our immediate need and application.
Start with prayer. Our God hears every word, every groaning of your heart, every question asked in confusion, every song raised in praise; knows your every fear and doubt, every circumstance, every dream and hope; sees every tear that falls to the floor, every step and stumble, every single obstacle and open door that is ahead of you. Ask Him to help you tap into His power and peace, to help you continue abiding in Him, to reveal His heart and Word and will. Prayer changes us, friends!
Study scripture. I mean really dig and get in there. It’s ripe with comfort and wise guidance and truth and is the only authentic “picture” we have of our Heavenly Father. Get to know Him!
When you’ve found His comfort, use it to comfort others. The very act of unselfishly helping another can bring healing, soothing relief for the soul. Consider what Lisa Bevere writes:
“You will never regret kind words, warmth, or acts of generosity—but you will regret the love you never gave.”
She’s right! Aren’t we commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves, to do everything in love? We need to remember that our lives don’t really belong to us but to our Creator. Follow His lead in your relationships with others and in your relationship with yourself. Get to know what He has to say about you so that you can start believing it.
Spoiler alert: you are stunningly beautiful, created with a purpose, loved beyond your wildest imagination, forgiven and redeemed, more than a conqueror, able to do all things through Christ Jesus according to His will, never alone.
You are embraced.
You are chosen.
You are family—HIS family.
“Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.
And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].”
Philippians 4:4-7 AMP
Amen! Dear friends, may God’s peace and presence bring you comfort today as only they can, and may you find the strength to be able to comfort others with the same comfort you’ve been given.
