Yesterday, my fourteen month old son Luke fell down – a
common occurrence for new walkers. I
scooped him up, and let his head settle like a puzzle piece against the curve
of my neck. Then, a soft beat began on
my shoulder. Luke was gently
patting my back with his pudgy little hand; a reflection of what he usually
receives from me.
I am a big fan of comfort. I like fleece blankets, desserts, money in
the bank, heated seats in my car, throw pillows, and hugs, just to name a few. I’ve been reading more about God’s character. So, when I read 2 Corinthians last night, it
pleased me to consider that God calls Himself the God of all comfort. He likes comfort too. That’s an exciting thought.
It says, “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 Cor. 1:3&4)
I sat and soaked in those words for a while. He’s the Father of compassion… He’s the God
of all comfort. He comforts us so we can
comfort others who are going through the same thing.
Lately, God is letting me be in some uncomfortable situations. In case it wasn't implied earlier, I am not a
fan of discomfort. When I’m stressed
out, food seems much more comforting than praying. Smiling at the homeless person and continuing to drive by is way more
comfortable than stopping and listening to their story. I’d rather give my son his pacifier to calm
him down than ask God for peace and patience to handle the tantrum.
Speaking of Luke and his pacifier, I had to stop writing
this blog post because he was screaming so loudly from his crib. We’re only giving him a pacifier at night,
and he was missing it terribly during nap time.
It seems like no coincidence that I was being tested in the very area
about which I was writing. So, first, I
prayed, “God of all comfort, please comfort Luke right now. Please help him to nap without his binky.” More wailing from upstairs. Next, I got 2 Corinthians, chapter 1 on my
computer screen and started to read it out loud. Spiritual warfare, you know? My mind stuck on the phrases “patient endurance
of sufferings” and “It is by faith you stand firm.” So, God is the God of all comfort AND we’re
meant to patiently endure suffering? Is
that right? I couldn’t take the crying anymore. I got Luke up from the partial nap and moved
on with our day, both of us crabby and teary-eyed.
So often, my go-to comfort choices do not produce the
satisfaction I’m seeking. They are
temporary fixes. Today, asking God for
comfort did not bring comfort as I understand it in my situation (Luke going
back to sleep without his pacifier; me stress-free and writing an amazing piece that encourages people everywhere).
God, what happens when I’m believing you for comfort and
I don’t feel comfort?
In parenting Luke through his discomfort, God helped me
see a little bit of His perspective as my heavenly Father. It was tough to hear Luke cry and even have
him shove me away when I tried to hold him and calm him down. I didn’t give him the pacifier though. I’m allowing Luke to go through this
discomfort. I care so much. I know the binky is temporary and not for
mature little boys. He needs to
transition to life without it, and that transition is painful, but persevering
through it (for both of us) will lead to good for him. There is a good purpose to his suffering.
I remember a time in my own life when God got me out of a
dysfunctional relationship. Like Luke, I
kept asking for what I understood would comfort me. I wanted the relationship back. Please!
Now! Some nights I mourned so
deeply, I thought it might actually kill me.
Maybe that sounds dramatic, but I have some dark journal entries to
prove it. God did not comfort me in the
way I wanted Him to. Instead, He brought
me through the painful discomfort, eventually into the beautiful marriage
relationship I have today. It surpasses my dreams and I am so grateful.
Instead of the God of ALL comfort, what if we could think
of Him as the God of TRUE comfort?
Lasting comfort? Eternal comfort?
Even the comforting things God brings us on earth are
just a shadow of the reality of heaven.
Revelation 21:4 tells us that there will be no more death, mourning, crying,
or pain. God has the power to bring
those miracles anytime, but even if He doesn’t, can we hang on with Him? There is a purpose for our pain and we can
trust our good Father.
The last part I want to mention is an important piece of
the 2 Corinthians passage. We already
know one of the reasons for our pain: to
comfort others. A woman in my Bible
study prayed with me about my struggle with overeating. She looked me in the eyes and said, “Man,
this is tough. I’ve certainly had
trouble eating when I’m stressed. Every
time I eat, I have to pray, ‘Lord, let this food nourish me so I can do your
will.’” She understood. God had given her comfort in this area and
she passed it on to me.
What have you come through? Maybe it was tough for a really, really long
time. What did God give you? Ask Him to give you
someone who needs that brand of comfort.
Photo Credit: Jessica Witters
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