As the world gets more complex it also gets more stressful. You would think we would figure out that we need others in our lives to help navigate such difficult times, yet the world motivates us to separate and isolate ourselves as tech consumes our every move. For the most part, gone are the days of sitting in a field to just think and contemplate what’s going on in our lives. Instead we all are over-busy and so dominated by the news that our thinking is filled with stress and anxiety. If we don’t wake up and change things we will struggle to have faith in God’s power.
Is it possible that many of our emotional wounds are self inflicted? I’m not saying we hurt ourselves on purpose, but rather we contribute to the emotional land mines that we step on. As Satan gains influence in our lives he builds in our soul an independent spirit that refuses healthy input. Although Satan can’t make us do things, he can whisper to our minds destructive counsel that leads us away from God. The farther we drift from the Spirit of God the more we become anxious about so much. Remember King Solomon’s sound words about not trusting ourselves more than we should. In the end Solomon failed to follow his own advice.
Proverbs 3:5-7
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 your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
One of the main ways Satan deceives us is by getting us to be worried about life without seeking God’s help and comfort. The scriptures say that man was created in the image of God, and if that is still true today it means we have tremendous capacity to overcome the obstacles that life throws at us. That being said, we are not invincible. Again, scripture states that we are meant to receive guidance from God, and with it extra power to handle life’s difficulties. If our relationship with God is weak or nonexistent then our difficulties and struggles in life will overcome us.
Scripture states that God loves us immensely and that he has given us the freedom to chose our own path. He often allows difficulties that confront our lack of wisdom. His hope is to motivate us to trust him more than ourselves. We can, and often do turn to God for comfort and help, but all too often not for change. God does not want to mitigate our pain if we don’t want the change he sees we need. Transformation is his goal.
Pain is one of the high motivators in life. When pain hits us, wether small or great, we pay attention. If we don’t just try to get rid of the pain, but change whatever is the cause of our problem, God will bless our endeavors — but not always the way we want or hoped for. Remember, God is interested in change and transformation more than our comfort. He desires to comfort us greatly if we discover what he wants to change in our lives. Consider the apostle Paul’s understanding about God’s comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
So Paul reveals that God desires to release comfort to us in order to use us to comfort others, thus showing in a tangible way God’s love. I have always thought that the best testimony is one of experience rather than of argument. If a person overcomes some difficulty with God’s help and thus finds God’s comfort, they are able to convince a person of like experience to trust God. In the same chapter Paul talks about his struggle in life, where he was so overcome that he didn’t want to live any longer, yet he found God’s comfort and strength. To someone struggling with thoughts of suicide this testimony can be compelling.
2 Corinthians 1:8-9
For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; 9indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;
This is the same Paul who stated we should not be anxious for anything, now despairing of life.
Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The pain we experience in this life, because remember this world is broken as beautiful as it may appear, is meant to warn us that evil is pursuing us, or is right around the corner, and that God is the only one who can see us ultimately through it. That same comfort, knowing that God is with us and will see us through any difficulty, is meant for us to pass on to others. First and foremost to other believers who are struggling, and secondly to unbelievers who don’t understand, or refuse to understand, that we are in a spiritual battle for our very souls. We are meant to be encouragers. We are meant to be ambassadors of the God who can comfort us in our darkest hour. Paul’s word in second Corinthians 7:5 says it all.
2 Corinthians 7:5-7
For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within. But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus; and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more.
No matter what painful issue you face, God wants to be a comfort to you so that you in turn can comfort others. Trust God to be what you need and then, like Jesus said, let living water flow from your life.
Questions:
1) Are you facing or in a painful battle? Let the “God of All Comfort” touch your life today
2) Do you know people that need God’s comfort? Be the bridge to God’s grace and mercy.
Pastor Dale
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