Great Comforter

What strategies do you use to increase comfort in your daily life?

“who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV

When you need comfort, how is that found? When alone in this world it’s either dependent upon trust in self, possibly others around, or a hope for a stroke of luck. How very futile it is. Strategies to use, in faith, to gain comfort are known as promises. They are repeated over and over throughout the Bible, why? Because God knows it’s not easy, He knows we forget and we need to hear it over and over. When we forget it’s important for a friend to help us remember when we cannot. The strength of our belief in these promises determines their effectiveness and strength. Wavering faith is caused by our inability to remember, but through our walk, when we make it through tough times and see how God was working even when we thought he wasn’t, our faith increases. It’s a marathon not a sprint but it’s a race I pray more sign up for.

A great story in the Bible about having comfort during a hard time is the story about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. In summary, King Nebuchadnezzar instituted a law that when a music was played all people’s must bow and worship these idols (false gods). When music was played these three Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not follow orders and bow. They were faithful to God. King Nebuchadnezzar ordered to have the three thrown into a burning hot furnace for their treachery. This is their reply to their fate.

“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Imagine this kind of faith. They knew that obeying God is worth going into a furnace, that either God will protect them or that they will receive their reward in heaven. That regardless of circumstances, obedience and trust in God is worth the outcome. With this faith, what worry can withstand? Looking down the barrel of any circumstance, with the faith knowing no matter the outcome that God has our needs in mind and He will provide, what is left to cause discomfort? Now, this is much easier said than done but doing it and allowing our trust in God to overcome our worry builds our faith. Next time you are seeking comfort inside the furnace of a life trial, I pray you give it to God and allow Him to show you the power of faith.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭31‬-‭34‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭55‬:‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬