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 1:3-4 NIV)
Where is God?
Have you ever found yourself wondering, Where is God in the midst of my heartache? Where is God when I feel weak and wear? Or Where is God in the wake of loss?
Do you want to know where God is at such times?
Right beside you.
It can be a lot easier to believe God is present during peaceful and joy-filled times. But in the middle of chaos, heartbreak, pain or loss, we can be quick to conclude that God has abandoned us. But that is far from the truth.
In the Bible God, who cannot lie, promises that He will never leave nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) This means that God is just as present in your peace and happiness as He is in your pain discomfort and sorrow. All you need to do is remember that and lean into His comfort.
But how do you do that?
The same way you do anything as a Christian, by faith.
Lean into God’s Comfort by Faith
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he is exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
In order to be able to find comfort in God during troubled times, you must believe that He is present in your troubles. As Christians we walk and indeed, live by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
So you must have faith in God’s promise that He is an ever present help (Psalm 46:1) and He is always with you. (Matthew 28:20)
Once you do this, you will be able to lean into God’s comfort knowing and trusting that He is there to comfort you. One of the ways you can do that is through prayer and reading the Bible.
Lean into God’s Comfort Through Prayer and the Word
God brings comfort to us through His Holy Spirit. But how can you receive that comfort if you do not have a relationship with the One who brings it?
A relationship with the Holy Spirit is cultivated through prayer, reading and meditating on (thinking over) the Word of God. Once you have established this relationship, you can now fellowship with the Holy Spirit continuously through these areas. These are also the places you can turn to during troubled times to find comfort.
Through prayer you can pour out your heart before the Lord, bring your complaints to Him, your fears and pain. (Psalm 62:8) Then you can turn to the Word and let God lead you to Scriptures that will minister to you, bring comfort to your heart and light to your situation. (Psalm 119:105)
But sometimes, you can feel so overwhelmed that you may not even have the strength to open the Bible, let alone pray. At such times you can trust God to bring you a comforting word through a person.
Lean into God’s Comfort Through People
If you cry out to God for help, He will answer you. He may also send someone in your path who will speak a word right into the situation and season you are in.
Whether it is a friend, family member or colleague, God can give that person the right words to speak that will comfort you and encourage you to keep going. (Proverbs 12:25)
Lean Into God’s Comfort By Knowing You Are Not Alone
Another place you can find comfort, is in the knowledge that you are not alone, even when you really feel like you are.
Just as was the case for the prophet Elisha, those who are for you, are more than those who are against you. Those who are praying for you, supporting you and loving you. (2 Kings 6:14-17) Also, God Himself walks beside you and if He is for you, who can stand against you? (Romans 8:31) No one.
So when you feel troubled, remember this and don’t forget that your Heavenly Father understands what you are going through.
God Understand Your Struggles
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:15-16 (NKJV)
Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, is fully acquainted with grief and sorrow. (Isaiah 54:3) He has also suffered and been tempted, therefore He is fully understands all that you are going through. (Hebrews 2:18)
He understands all your worries, weaknesses and pain and He is ready to give you mercy and grace to help and love to comfort you in your troubles.
So don’t shy away from Him, believing He is distant, but instead lean into His loving embrace and let Him bring hope, light, life and healing to you.
I pray the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you, in all the trouble you may be facing. In Jesus name we pray, Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:14)
