Experiencing God’s Comfort

“Praise be to… the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles (2Co 1:3)

I don’t have to tell you that we live in a stressful age. The world is full of challenge and change. Challenge comes with its companions: fear, anxiety and insecurity. It would seem that humankind is not psychologically equipped for the rapid technological developments it is making. As a result, people are cracking up. Many live on their daily dose of tranquilizers and anti-depressants. Even Christians are floundering and sinking. As a result, I felt led today to share some keys to experiencing God’s 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 have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. (2Co 1:3-7)

So what are these keys to experiencing God’s comfort?

Firstly, We Need to Identify the True Source of Comfort

God is indeed ...the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort… (2 Cor 1:3)

God is the source of compassion, the origin of all true comfort so, if you’re under stress or are burdened or broken-hearted… go to God.

Unfortunately, people look in all the wrong places and to all sorts of dubious things to bring them comfort:

e.g. Alcohol and drugs, food, compulsive behaviours, illicit sex, flirtatious affairs etc. – everything except running into the arms of a loving God. I would encourage you to go to God – no worry or trouble is too small or too big for Him. He is the ...God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles… (v4) Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1Pe 5:7)

Then, We Need to Connect to the Channels through Which Comfort Flows

People who have been comforted have the potential of becoming channels of comfort.

...we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God… through Christ our comfort overflows. (v4-5)

In the Body of Christ there should be no lack of comfort. We should be prepared to receive comfort from our fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord. This requires a bit of humility and vulnerability on our part, but we should remember that even the greatest people of God need the comfort of fellow believers. The Apostle Paul who wrote more than half of the New Testament wrote this about the arrival of one of his trainees:

God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.. (2Co 7:6) (See also Act 28:15)

There Are Other Channels of Comfort:

The comfort of the Scriptures e.g. (Ps 119: 49-52)

Comfort through the Holy Spirit – the “Comforter” e.g. (Act 9:31)

Gifts of the Holy Spirit e.g. prophecy. But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. (1Co 14:3)

We Must Also Develop a Positive Attitude to Problems

…this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God... (2Co 1:9)

The essence of sin is walking in independence from God which is in fact rebellion against God. It is singing the Sinatra song: “I Did It My Way”. Times of trial present a wonderful opportunity to learn a new reliance on God. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds (Jas 1:2)

Psychologists tell us that most stress is self-inflicted. That it is not caused by the circumstances we face, but by how we perceive and react to them. Most of us are thinking thoughts and speaking to ourselves nearly all day long. We often put ourselves down in the way we speak to ourselves. We must beware of toxic self-talk. why be your own worst enemy?

In the words of the Desiderata: “Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself”.

Finally, Let’s Take Steps to Receive Comfort

Jesus gave us some practical guidance on how to receive comfort.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Mat 11:28-30)

1. “Come to me…”

Go to Jesus with the problem – you have an open invitation.

Approach Him in prayer.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Php 4:6)

2.“Receive Rest!”

Learn the discipline of quieting your disturbed soul – spend time enjoying nature, listen to restful music, pray in other tongues etc.

But I have stilled and quietened my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. (Ps 131:2)

3.“Exchange yokes”

We are stressed because we have taken on unnecessary burdens; yokes that are chafing and hurting us. Often we are carrying and feeding other people’s “Monkeys”. We must prune our lifestyles and redefine our priorities. Get rid of guilt and sin. Bitterness, anger and hatred are heavy taskmasters.

4.“Learn from Jesus!”

You only learn if you take time to listen. Ask: “Jesus, what have you got to say about my problem?” Be humble and teachable. A gentle, humble person has an unburdened back.

The result of taking these steps is very positive:

...and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Mat 11:30)

How to experience God’s Comfort?

• Identify the source of comfort.

• Connect to the channels of comfort.

• Develop a positive attitude to problems.

• Take steps to receive comfort.