The Be-Attitudes of the Christian Walk ~ Be Comforted

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 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 1:3-4 NIV

When Comfort is Rejected

Have you ever tried to offer comfort to someone who desperately needs it and have them refuse you – even be angry at you for the comfort you are trying to offer? I must often remind myself that offering help to a wounded person can be like attempting to help a wounded animal. If you touch a sensitive wound, your hand may be bitten by the offending beast. In the same way, often when we are offering comfort to a wounded soul, it may not be received with the grace intended. 

I was lamenting this particular thought with the Lord after a difficult day of service to someone who would rather not need my help. I told the Lord how hard it was when all I want to do is give this person comfort, make his life as pleasant as possible, make sure his needs are taken care of, and he lashes out in anger at the simplest of offerings. 

The Lord was silent for a few minutes while I continued my lament. He let me have my say, and then reminded me that He too offers comfort that is rejected out of hand. He wants to provide for us and give us life abundantly – and yet we (the collective we) run to friends, food, shopping, exercise, or chocolate (or as I did yesterday my Matcha Frap from Starbucks) to give us that comfort. Believe me, I like all the above. They all have a purpose and place. But they can never fully provide the kind of comfort I need in the depths of my battle-weary soul. 

A Psalm for the Wounded Heart

“Then I realized that my heart was bitter,
    and I was all torn up inside.
I was so foolish and ignorant—
    I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.^{(Very Convicting)}

Yet I still belong to you;
    you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
    leading me to a glorious destiny.

 Whom have I in heaven but you?
    I desire you more than anything on earth.
 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
    but God remains the strength of my heart;
    he is mine forever.

But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
    I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
    and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.” 

Psalm 73:21-26, 28 NLT

I did not respond with grace when my offering was mocked. I may have given in at a point and seemed like a senseless animal. Then I spent the better part of twenty-four hours beating myself up for my lack of grace or self-control. As I laid my head down, thoughts of the day threatened to pummel me again. I wasn’t getting up for chocolate or calling a friend at 10pm, so I went to the source of all comfort. I entered His presence and read the words from Psalm 73. Finally, I allowed the Lord to forgive my bitterness and comfort my heart and mind.

The Spirit Who Comforts

My spirit was weak for sure! But He reminded me that He is holding my hand through this journey we call life. He is there in the good times and the times that threaten to undo me. I can be comforted because He is my strength and my shelter. He is my counselor who is wise beyond any human words. 

The Holy Spirit was given to us as a constant companion, counselor and comforter. He is with us to guide and correct us and even when (especially when) we mess up, He is there to comfort us. It seems so simple, yet we reject His role so easily. 

“I cried out to God for help;
    I cried out to God to hear me.
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
    at night I stretched out untiring hands,
    and I would not be comforted.” Psalm 77:1-2

Even When it Hurts, He is With You

When life gets uncomfortable, I need to remember the words I memorized as a child from Psalm 23. I must allow His protection and presence to comfort and guide me.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; 

thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

Questions to Ponder

• Do you struggle to receive the comfort of our Heavenly Father? 

• Is it because you don’t want the correction or counsel that comes with the comfort? (Ouch, I know…)

• What might you need to release in order to be comforted by God today?

Take comfort in knowing: 

Why would we ever look anywhere else for comfort?

Run to the Father!

Prayer for Comfort

God of all comfort, please comfort my restless heart. Help me to run to You and receive Your comfort rather than the comforts of this world when I am confronted with a weary and broken heart. Help me to rest in Your promise that You will never leave me or forsake me. Please help me be wise in how and when I offer comfort to others and be prepared when they do not receive it with grace. Help me to never grow weary in well doing but depend on you to be the strength of my life. In Your Precious Name, Amen

Worship and Meditate

With this song by Cody Carnes, Run to the Father

For Further Reading

Verses on Comfort from Bible Study Tools

The God of All Comfort by Hannah Whitall Smith