Are We Sharing God's Comfort?
By Elvira Bujanda
There is an ultimate comfort which we have access to as saints of God and it is established in the Bible, God’s Word. As we acknowledge His comfort with an open mind and heart, we are able to see God’s sovereign control over every situation.
In Galatians 1:15 Paul says, “Before I was born, God chose me and called me by His marvelous grace.” Trusting in Jesus one step at a time, we find a beautiful faith walk in the middle of the daily problems that sometimes may result in failures.
During my 29 years of salvation I have often needed to find God’s comfort and peace to give me strength for today and a hope for tomorrow. Psalm 119:114 says, “You are my refuge and shield; my hope is in your word.” As I’ve learned to stay focused on God, my refuge, I have found comfort in His Word by the Holy Spirit.
Let me share with you what God tells us about comfort in His word.
Proverbs 3:3-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths.” As we trust in God’s word, our adversities only become an opportunity to trust His comfort and wisdom.
When we are troubled, 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 says, “May our Lord Jesus Christ and god our Father who loved us and in his special favor gave us everlasting comfort and good hope comfort your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do and say.”
Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”Therefore truly God is our very comfort and one in all. When tough times come, 2 Timothy 2:3 says, “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
In times of mourning and grief, read Psalm 119:52: “I meditate on your age old laws, O Lord; they comfort me.” In Psalm 147:3 it says, “He heals the brokenhearted, binding up their wounds.” Also when we are discouraged and overwhelmed, we read “The Lord helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads” (Psalm 145:14).
In John 16:33, Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have trials and sorrows, but take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
In times of persecution and rejection, look at John 6:37: “However those the Father has given me will come to me and I will never reject them,” and Psalm 138:3: “When I pray you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need.”
In the very midst of conflict and when we are afraid, Psalm 23:4 tells us, “Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid for you are close beside me. Your rod and staff protect and comfort me,” and Psalm 91:4 says, “He will shelter you with his wings; his faithful promises are your armor and protection.”
Even in our times of sickness we can read Psalm 41:3: “The Lord nurses them when they are sick and eases their pain and discomfort. And in Luke 1:37 it tells us “for with God nothing will be impossible.”
It is through God’s written Word, the Bible, that he illuminates us and shows us His love that brings us comfort and guidance. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
There is true comfort in the faithfulness of His promises that overcomes the most devastating of life’s storms. Romans 8:28 says, “We know that all things work together for goo to those who love God; to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
God has chosen and appointed you and He has set you where He needs you. In Philippians 1:6 it says, “Being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
In God’s daily comforting moments during many adversities, I know that He comforted me so that I may also comfort others in their discomfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 says, “All praise to the Lord Jesus Christ; he is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort other. When others are troubled we will be able to give them the same comfort that God has given us. You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.”
“God’s purpose is for us to become complete in His ways and thoughts; a vessel that He can use for His glory.”
In Ephesians 4:3 it says, “Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit and bind yourselves together with peace.” Living in the light of the presence of Jesus, the events of this ever-changing world of problems and pain will fade away in the peace and everlasting love of God as we comfort one another.
There is also wisdom in understanding God’s perspective. In Psalm 25:10 it says, “All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful.”
God’s purpose is for us to become complete in His ways and thoughts; a vessel that He can use for His glory. ”Certainly the faithful love of the Lord hasn’t ended; certainly God’s compassion isn’t through; they are renewed every morning. Great is Your faithfulness!”
By allowing His ways in our heart and mind we can “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you are all called to peace; and be thankful” (Colossians 3:15). It’s God’s desire for us to comfort others. Romans 12:10 says, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Friendships are developed out of comforting others. I want to be more like the friend described by Doris W. Greig in the acrostic below.
