Comfort

Recently, a friend took an old, well-worn, comfortable cashmere jumper and made it into a soft, cuddly teddy bear with a happy face and a little ribbon at the neck. As you hold the teddy bear close to your skin, you feel a sense of comfort. Holding the teddy bear reminds me of the many ways we try to bring self-comfort into our lives.

But human comforts are fleeting, bringing relief into a moment of time, but it’s difficult to go back to, or recapture, that moment. And there are many different self-comforting strategies. Perhaps you use food or chocolate; music; or have a favourite comfortable chair. The warmth of the sun or the company of a special friend may also provide comfort. But sometimes, we rely on ‘false’ comforts, using them to protect ourselves from the harsh realities of life.

God’s comfort is different to this. The Bible tells us God blesses those who realise their need for Him (Matthew 5:3). And God’s comfort is freely available to everyone. God says, in Isaiah 40:1, ‘Comfort, comfort my people’ says your God ... tell her that her sad days are gone and that her sins are pardoned’.

Are you seeking comfort in the wrong places? As a child of God, reach out to God, trusting Him, through the Holy Spirit, to bring His comfort into your life. Perhaps you need to come before the Lord in confession that you have been seeking comfort in the wrong places, and thinking people and things hold the answer. Be real with God, acknowledge that Jesus is the ‘Good Shepherd’, and ask Him to hold you close. Receive His comfort today, even as you comfort others.

Prayer: Lord God, today I come before You and acknowledge my need to You. I’m sorry for the times I have sought to comfort myself rather than trusting in You. Lord, I choose to trust You, and receive Your comfort today. Amen.