Sweet Comfort
God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature, so they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle. And, yes, every animal that moves on the face of Earth.” God created human beings; he created them godlike, reflecting God’s nature. He created them male and female.” Genesis 1:26-27 MSG
The Bible tells us that God created us to reflect His nature. How could God have created females, “in His own image” if there were not some aspects to His nature and character that are feminine? The heart of God seeks communion and connection. He desires an intimate and emotional bond with His people, and He not only passed those beautiful traits on to His daughters, but He also interacts with us from that space.
In Isaiah 66:12-13, God says, “Like a toddler, you’ll be held, carried, nourished, and comforted. As a mother soothes her child, so I will comfort you.
He knows us, He relates to us, He understands us; and He made us to be just like Him!
The fact that He created our hearts to understand and communicate the language of comfort tells me that it must be a vital element for our survival. To encounter peace and move forward in life, we must know and understand the attribute of comfort. We’ve got to discover what brings us the most comfort, and we’ve got to learn how to receive the Divine comfort of God.
What brings you comfort?
What helps you feel better- a cup of hot tea, or a steaming bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup?
What enables you to feel safe- climbing under a warm blanket, or the strong embrace of someone you trust?
What eases your weariness- a long afternoon nap on a sunny summer weekend, or a day where nothing is asked of you and you’re left alone to recover your soul?
What alleviates your pain- a good cry with a close friend, or words of belief and encouragement spoken at just the right time?
Feeling comfortable, safe and cared is fundamentally important for us. We’ve got to feel it and know it to thrive in this life.
In 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 it says “God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He consoles us as we endure the pain and hardship of life so that we may draw from His comfort and share it with others in their own struggles. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.”
In these verses we learn 3 important things about comfort:
God is the source- He’s the maker and creator of all forms of comfort. It’s a good and vital gift that comes from His hand, and He’s our source to draw from when we need it. When we need comfort we need to go to the well, dip our cup in, and receive what we need.
The more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with His comfort. His love, His comfort, His peace, His provision, His forgiveness have no limit. He’s limitless and won’t run out of what we need.
He consoles and comforts us SO THAT we can comfort others. Other people are hurting, and the gifts that God gives us are rarely for us alone. From the tangible elements of time, talents, and treasure; to the emotional resources of presence, prayer, relief and comfort- we are to share and give to others the very things that God has given to us.
To who or what do you usually turn to for comfort?
How have you experienced God’s comfort in the past? What did it feel like? How did it affect you?
What are some tangible ways that you can console and comfort others? What can you say or do to extend the gift of comfort into the lives of others?
How does all of this relate to your identity?
And, “God created human beings; he created them godlike, reflecting God’s nature. He created them male and female.”
When God knit you together in your mother’s womb, the imprint of His fierce and instinctual ability to comfort was pressed into the fabric of your heart. You are a comforter! We carry the unique expression of God within our hearts and it’s ours to share.
So, let’s be about the business of shining the heart of God into the lives of people we come in contact with.