Where is Your Comfort?

I think each of my boys has had something that brought them comfort as toddlers.  For Kendall it has been his "rag" and pacifier or aka "I".  He truly loves them. There is such joy that spreads across hhis face when he knows that he is about to get them. I have witnessed him- when extremely upset - just calm and relax when he has those two items. Suddenly his anxious heart is at peace and secure.

Due to his age, we only allow Kendall to have his paci and rag during nap times and at bedtime. Yesterday afternoon I realized he was quiet and suspiciously missing. I went in search of my "Toddler Tornado" and whatever mess he might have created.  I found him sitting behind his closed bedroom door in a corner of the room with a bright, green pacifier in his mouth and rag in hand. He was tired and just needed some comfort, but not in the right way. He knew it wasn't when we would permit him to have those items and he was in hiding.

Too often that is what happens with believers. We find something that brings us comfort and we cling to it- long for it and do anything for it despite it being right or not. Before we know it that "comfort" becomes a crutch that prevents us from seeking after the Father who should be our ultimate source of comfort. He has given us the Holy Spirit as our great comforter when life is hard. All other things bring only dependence and reliance on self- not focused on the true source of all peace.

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 NLT)

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." (John 14:16, 17 NIV)

God through the Holy Spirit is our comfort, counselor, and guide. It is through Him that we can draw on God's unlimited resources of power, strength, peace, joy, and hope. What more could we need? Yet, I like many of you find comfort in other things: routine, food, relationships, and the list could go on and on. Drugs for some? Sure. Alcohol? Inappropriate intimacy? Power? Career advancement? Personal talents and abilities?

All these areas bring some comfort, but all are temporary, fleeting, failing.... The only thing that lasts is found through Christ. What are you finding comfort in today? Seek what you need from the One who will not grow weak, whose light will not dim and who will not fail you.