We look for comfort in all kinds of places. Food, drink, music, movies, a delightful book, a friend, and even social media.
When the world gets too much for us, and life seems heavy, we long for our burden to be lifted. It seems hard to comfort ourselves in these times of distress.
We need something else to reach into our moment of despair. That’s hard to get on demand, though, so we go to things we can do. Fix a vat of macaroni and cheese, pour a few glasses of wine, binge on Netflix.
And those things help a little, but not for long.
I used to think talking about whatever it was in life that got me down would help, but now, I’m not so sure. My over-examination of things seems to have the opposite effect much of the time. It drains and confuses me—the converse of comfort.
This lesson became apparent in my conversational attempts to comfort my kids. They would come to me after a long, hard day and need comforting. My first attempts usually resulted in them walking away, still sad and perhaps even more deflated. I had tried to evaluate their situation, offer advice, guide them. Isn’t that what parents do?
Yes, but as Solomon wisely said, there is a time for everything. And there is also NOT a time for everything. Being beaten down by the world and feeling empty was not the time to pontificate about the situation. What my kids really needed was a hug, encouragement, a momentary distraction from the pain.
Sometimes my comfort to them came in simply sitting next to them and not saying a word. A strange thing happened in those moments. I don’t understand it, but I can testify to it.
Even if nothing was said to unpack their situation, comfort grew out of a handful of minutes side by side. My silent presence reminded them of something the harsh world had tried to steal away.
These things are true with our heavenly parent as well. He knows our needs, and He actually does know exactly what to say and what we should do. Yet, his comfort often comes in silent moments.
A verse may come to mind. The wind might blow a cooling breeze. The quiet comfort of His Holy Spirit will minister to our souls.
I miss this at times because I’m busy trying to comfort myself. Instead of going to Him, I mull over my problems, or I get busy trying to distract myself with food or a movie. Those things aren’t true comfort. They are faulty diversions.
God provides us true and lasting comfort in Himself. Sometimes that comes in the form of a verse. Other times it’s found in prayer. It can also show up in the form of a friend sitting by my side or a beautiful sunset or a simple whisper of His spirit reminding me I’m not alone.
God will provide comfort to you today. Read these verses and rest in Him. He will comfort you.
Psalms 94:19
“In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.”
Psalms 23:4
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
Psalms 119:50
“This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.”
Psalms 73:28
“But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.”
Psalms 86:17
“Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.”
Psalms 145:14
“The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.”
Psalms 138:7
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.”
Psalms 9:9
“The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.”
Psalms 42:5
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.”
Psalms 91:11
“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”
Psalms 27:5
“For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.”
Psalms 86:7
“In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.”
Psalms 55:22
“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
Psalms 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalms 103:13 -103:14
“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.”
You may also like: Bible verses for comfort