Where do you find comfort? Is it under your favorite blanket, in a good book, or a hot cup of coffee? Is it in your political party being in office, a certain amount of money in your bank account, or a clean bill of health from your doctor? True comfort comes from knowing the God who created and holds together all things (Colossians 1:16-17). Are you seeking comfort by walking alongside Him, reading His Word, and trusting Him?
This week I struggled to write an article. The snow has really thrown me off. No church on Sunday, no community group, and no discipleship group. I’ve been doing my morning time in God’s Word, but I’ve also been using some of my downtime to scroll the internet. I can feel the anxiety and uncertainty creeping in. Then late last night as I was getting into bed, I got a random text from my sister reminding me to plant myself by the streams of Christ’s living water. How did she know I needed to hear that?
It is so easy when our lives get out of whack and our routines change to allow more of the world’s voice to sneak in. Two weeks ago I wrote about our need to constantly take inventory on whose voice we are hearing. Then last week, I shared that one of the reasons we need to do this is for discernment. Well, this week I want to talk about comfort. Take it from someone who was never comforted as an unbeliever. I was a constant ball of emotions. It’s easy to briefly go back to my old ways. Even though I’m tempted to worry about the things of this world, I know true comfort comes from trusting the God who is sovereign over all of it.
Trusting In The World
Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Jeremiah 17:5-6
There is no comfort found in trusting the world. When we put all our trust in things like politicians and our careers we are turning away from God. These things will always let us down and as a result we will desire more, never be fully satisfied, and will become spiritually malnourished. By putting all our trust in the world, we are not maturing or bearing fruit. We’re just barely getting by. Why would we choose this life for ourselves? And yet so many Christians do when they refuse to go to church, make no time to read God’s Word, and can’t commit to discipleship.
I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:12-13
Can you imagine if Paul had put his trust in the things of the world? He would have been highly disappointed and would have never been able to write these words. Thankfully, his trust was in God. He found comfort in knowing that wherever he was, he was right where God wanted Him. Whatever struggle he was facing, God was allowing it and would be right next to him through it. That says a lot from a man who was beaten, imprisoned, and eventually killed for his faith.
Trusting In the Lord
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8
True comfort is found in trusting God and planting ourselves next to Him. We rely on Him for sustenance through His Word and prayer. He gives us life because without Him we are spiritually dead. We realize that everything we have comes from Him. We don’t have to fear the chaos around us or what’s to come. As long as we stay close to Him, we will remain healthy spiritually and bear fruit. Doesn’t that sound amazing? It is.
I struggled with anxiety as an unbeliever, so I love that I can now find comfort in trusting God in all the big, as well as the small things. Time and time again God has shown me that trusting Him means letting go of the things I can’t control. It never looks like what I think it should look like, but it’s always better than I could imagine. When we don’t trust God, it’s easy to be upset or uneasy about every minor inconvenience. However, when we do trust God, we can’t help but see His grace and mercy in every situation.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
I Recommend His Book
I saw a post on social media this week asking for book recommendations for avid readers. Someone suggested the Bible, which would have been my choice as well. However, the person who posted it immediately shot it down as a joke. I had assumed she believed in God, but apparently she didn’t think His book was worth her time. My heart broke, and it made me wonder how many other women feel this way. They claim to love God, but they view His Word as outdated and useless. It really breaks my heart even writing that.
Life is hard, but it’s even harder when we try to walk through it without God by our side. That is exactly what you are doing when you aren’t in God’s Word. There is only one book that was written by your Creator. There is only one book that through the power of the Holy Spirit will change your life. It’s called the Holy Bible and it is the very Word of God. I can tell you from personal experience that every minute you spend in God’s Word is absolutely worth your time.
The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God remains forever. Isaiah 40:8
God’s Word provides comfort when we struggle with anxiety. It provides comfort when we are going through hardships and personal struggles. Even when we struggle to find contentment in our day-to-day life, God’s Word can provide us comfort. The best part is, everything else you will seek to find comfort in will never last, but God’s Word is forever. It will never become outdated or irrelevant. You will never stop learning from it. If you will read it, God will use it to mature you and to bear fruit through your life.
Comfort in Chaos
The world wants us to worry alongside them. They want us to be as uncomfortable as they are and share in their distress and grief. I’m not suggesting we shouldn’t be informed, speak the truth, and vote accordingly. I’m saying, we can not allow ourselves to get wrapped up in the frenzy of the world. It’s tempting to get discouraged, but through Scripture we are able to make sense of the world and we know the One who has overcome the world.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Be sure to check out my Resources Page for resources to help you be more intentional about being in God’s Word and prayer. I would love to hear from you. Send me an email through my Contact Page.