Trust God to Comfort

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 1:2-4 NIV

A few years ago, I read this verse in a friend’s Bible and wrote it down. Little did I know that months later, I would experience it.

My friend and I had spent the day together. I was worn out and upset over a situation, and during our time together, we talked and cried, she shared Scripture and prayed over me. God used her to comfort me, and it was a powerful afternoon. I borrowed her Bible to look up the Scripture she had prayed over me, and in the process read this verse. I wrote it down along with notes. It impacted me, but I didn’t know exactly why at the time.

Months later, she called me upset and distraught. That morning I had read a devotion by Max Lucado, and not surprisingly, it was exactly what God wanted me to share with her during that call. I remembered this verse and where and when I had read it, and I realized I was able to minister to her in a way I had never done before. Not only had she found comfort and strength in our conversation, I was in awe (and tears) at how God was using me.

I believe God provides comfort we won’t find anywhere else—often in ways we don’t expect. The question is…do I turn to God right away, or after I’ve given in to fear and panic?

Maybe you’ve seen an overtired child headed for a full meltdown. The sooner the child can be consoled, the less chance of a complete meltdown. But once that point is reached, it’s more difficult and takes longer to calm the child.

Sometimes I feel like that. I’m an emotional person and can easily get carried away with my feelings and the what-ifs in life. However, I’m learning that the sooner I go to God, the less easily fear can take hold of me.

When I turn to God immediately, or better yet, when I’m in constant communication with Him, He gives me a perspective I don’t have on my own. If there is something I can do about what is going on, I trust Him to show me; and if there is nothing I can do at the time, He reveals that also. Either way, He comforts me, gives me peace, and reminds me that it’s all in His hands.

Times when I wait or forget to take it to God, fear, worry, and panic have time to set in and take over. Even when my head reminds me that God can handle it, my emotions have already led me into a full meltdown. Then it’s harder for me to calm down and let go of it.

I really like Matthew 6:34 in The Message translation…

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Matthew 6:34 The Message

How reassuring it is to know I’m not on my own. God is at work right now and He will be at work in the future. No matter what happens or doesn’t happen, He will comfort and strengthen me, and will be there to walk me through.

Thank you for joining me here today! If you are reading Do You Know Who I Am? by Angela Thomas with us, we are in chapter 3 “Do You Know I Am Trembling Inside?...He Is My Comfort.”

In Christ,

Laura

Linking up with On Your Heart Tuesday, Women Living Well Wednesday, Word Filled Wednesday, One Word Wednesday, Life in Bloom, Thought Provoking Thursday, and Faith Filled Friday.