Psalm 107:8-9 “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” NIV
What’s your go-to comfort food?You know, that food you reach for at the end of a long, stressful day?
For me, it’s pizza – crispy crust, savory sauce, any kind of veggies, and pepperoni and cheese. My goodness, that’ll cure whatever ails! But then I usually have to eat until I’m overstuffed before that feeling of satisfaction sets in, and then along with that comes the physical discomfort. And then I have to ask myself if that was really the comfort I was seeking after all.
So what are we seeking? Better yet, what is it that leads us to that point of seeking comfort? I usually turn to food for comfort when I am hungry, tired, mentally stressed, emotionally drained, upset, angry, or sad. But then one day I read this verse:
Isaiah 51:12 “I, even I, am he who comforts you.” (NIV)
So how does the Lord bring comfort? Let me offer a few suggestions.
1. Prayer – When we pray, we release all of those burdens that have weighed us down all day. It may just be a prayer for help with our responsibilities or with a relationship. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us that we can cast all our anxiety on Him because He cares for us. Releasing those burdens will bring comfort in knowing that God is in control.
2. Worship – There’s nothing quite like worship to get our minds off ourselves and on our mighty God! Worship lets us express our hearts to God and focus on how good He is no matter what our situation. David expressed quite a range of emotion in the Psalms. I believe that if we will express our emotions in praise and worship to God, we will be less likely to express our emotions in unhealthy ways towards others.
3. The Word – Reading and confessing God’s Word has the power to renew our minds and relieve some of the mental stress of our day. Even if it’s just reminding ourselves of His promises and His faithfulness, the Word is a great source of comfort. God speaks to us in His Word, and if we have sinned, He will convict and correct us, and there is no greater peace than that which comes from being right with God.
Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (NIV)
So the next time you come home at the end of a long day, before you reach for the pizza and the remote, spend some time with the Lord and let Him bring you the REAL comfort that your heart desires.
Jesus said that He is the Bread of Life. Take and eat!