Comfort: Part 1

Part 1: Comfort... Do we need it?

I have realized recently that I pray often for comfort, for myself and for friends and loved ones. When I pray in this way, it's not physical comfort to which I am referring, like a hot shower or a cozy bed, but spiritual comfort. True comfort. As I realized how much I have been using this word, pleading for this reality, I took some time to stop and think about what it is that I am seeking and why, what comfort really means, and how we can obtain comfort.

The Bible offers some pretty solid answers about comfort and supports the fact that we do need it. Because this is a pretty broad topic with a lot to explore, I am going to spend several weeks addressing what I've found. In this first section, below is a brief overview of why people need comfort. I can relate to several of these reasons. Can you?

We are in physical pain:

"When I think my bed will comfort me
 and my couch will ease my complaint, even then you frighten me with dreams
 and terrify me with visions, so that I prefer strangling and death,
 rather than this body of mine." ~Job 7:13-15

We need help:

"I cried out to God for help;
 I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
 at night I stretched out untiring hands,
 and I would not be comforted. I remembered you, God, and I groaned;
 I meditated, and my spirit grew faint." ~Psalm 77:1-3

"My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
I say, 'When will you comfort me?' " Psalm 119:82

We are oppressed:

"Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun:

I saw the tears of the oppressed—
and they have no comforter;
 power was on the side of their oppressors—
and they have no comforter." ~Ecclesiastes 4:1

We have deep heart wounds:

"What can I say for you?
 With what can I compare you,
 Daughter Jerusalem?
 To what can I liken you,
 that I may comfort you,
 Virgin Daughter Zion?
 Your wound is as deep as the sea.
 Who can heal you?" ~Lamentations 2:13

We mourn for our losses:

"Blessed are those who mourn,
 for they will be comforted." ~Matthew 5:4

Last, but not least… we cannot be comforted by this world:

"The idols speak deceitfully,
 diviners see visions that lie;
 they tell dreams that are false,
 they give comfort in vain.
 Therefore the people wander like sheep, 
oppressed for lack of a shepherd." ~ Zechariah 10:2