comfort

To comfort someone is to ease, strengthen, or alleviate the feeling of grief, suffering, or distress. In our faith, comfort is the deep assurance of God’s abiding presence and care. It is also the promise of God’s consolation. The Bible continually invites us to trust in God’s divine comfort.

True comfort in times of affliction

In our modern world, comfort may seem easy to find. We are bombarded with marketing campaigns that invite us to find solace in material things like a comfy sweater, a warm blanket, or a delicious and expensive meal. But, these are what we call quick fixes and they do not last.

God’s comfort, however, is eternal and accessible at any moment, all year long! A kind smile, a warm embrace, a joyful wish to have a great and blessed day from a stranger, are God’s ways of saying: “I am here. I am taking care of you.” 

God’s peace and grace finds us in our suffering. Even when we don’t acknowledge our pain, our God of comfort knows it and through divine intervention, eases our heavy hearts. God’s consolation often comes in the most unexpected ways: lifting our cross, unburdening our spirit, and transforming our lives.

Dear God, 

You never cease to amaze me.  You continue to show up, even when I have gone missing, and try to hide in my cave of misery. You extend Your hand through my neighbor, my brothers and sisters, and the stranger praying over me. Thank You for giving me strength and offering me comfort when I need it most, and for brightening my days. Amen.

Where do you find comfort in God?