Comfort in Discomfort

Ever find yourself in a season of life when you’re hearing the same message repeated in several different sources? Maybe you read a Bible verse in your quiet time, then a day later you hear the same verse taught in a Bible study class, and finally, your pastor preaches on that same topic the following Sunday. It’s as if the Lord is saying, “Pay attention! I’m repeatedly drawing your attention to this message for a reason.”

I had a similar experience related to the word comfort. Here’s what I’ve learned and am still learning . . .

Comfort comes in the form of a Person

Comfort has become the standard by which many people live. We want comfortable cars, comfortable clothes, and comfortable shoes. We even reach for comfort foods to give us an emotional boost. Far be it from us to be uncomfortable!

With His crucifixion imminent, Jesus promised the disciples He would not abandon them. He would send “another,” one who is different, yet equal to Himself. The King James Version translates this name as Comforter, one who would be with them—and by extension, us—forever.

Within hours of Jesus’s promise, the disciples would enter the most trying period of their lives. Their Master would be executed, and they were about to enter an intense time of uncertainty and fear. Jesus promised the Comforter would dwell in them, bringing the strength, hope, and intimate presence of God. He would ease their fears and answer their questions.

The Comforter does not promise a trouble-free life. Rather, He encourages our hearts in whatever life brings. His presence reminds and reassures us that God is always with us. When life becomes uncomfortable, He does not eliminate our suffering; He carries and comforts us through it.

Comfort in mourning

If we had the option, most of us would choose joy and laughter over mourning and weeping. Yet the apostle James wrote to urge Christians to seek mourning instead of laughter and heaviness rather than joy. But this does not mean God wants us to be miserable. James wrote, “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

The context of this passage deals with sin. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. One of the ways we exhibit our humility is when we mourn over sin—our own and the sin of others. The presence of sin should break our hearts. Deep sorrow should wash over us as we realize our sin—yours and mine—nailed Christ to the cross.

When we mourn over sin, the Comforter enfolds us in His love and pours His grace on us. He enables us to view our sin from His perspective, and He gives us a desire for His holiness. Throughout this process, He wraps us in His comfort.

We do not mourn over sin to be miserable; we mourn over sin to touch the heart of God.

Comfort from the comforted

The Bible describes various reasons for our trials. God may permit us to suffer to test our faith, mature our character, or manifest the reality of our heavenly Father’s care. We may suffer to share in Christ’s suffering, learn to trust God more, or be pruned for greater fruitfulness.

The apostle Paul explained yet another reason for our trials. He wrote, “We can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Corinthians 1:4). When our heavenly Father comforts us, we’re equipped to comfort others with the same comfort we have received from Him. To do this, though, we must be willing to be open with others about our struggles.

The more transparent we are regarding our own trials and the comfort we have received, the more God can use us to touch the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

How has God comforted you with His presence this week?

Is someone in your life struggling with a trial similar to one you’ve experienced?
How can you extend comfort to this person today?

* Adapted excerpts from Reflections on the Names of God.