God's comfort for believers during the hardest of times
Life sometimes hits us hard, and our hearts struggle with situations in which we feel a serious need for someone to be at our side. Maybe some of us will say with the psalmist: “My soul refuses to be comforted.” (Ps. 77:2). Nevertheless, the believer has God who is always with him, even in the worst circumstances. In the deepest pain, we discover the most reliable comfort in God Himself. As David found out saying: “Your rod and Your staff they comfort me” and that “in the abundance of my thoughts within me Your comforts delight my soul.” (Ps. 23:4; 94:19). Brother, sister, let us look to our God and to his many consolations:
1. God of all comfort
What a beautiful epithet “God of all comfort”, as He is the one who comforts us and He is the one triune God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), the source of comfort, “I, I am Your comforter…” The same with the Lord Jesus who "will comfort your hearts and prepare you in every word or deed” (Isa. 51: 12; 2 Thes. 2: 17).
One of the appellations of the Holy Spirit is the Comforter, “paraklitos” in Greek, which means " one who appears on another's behalf ", i.e., helper, advocate and supporter. Isn't He the ultimate supporter who stands by the side of every believer in all circumstances? (John 14: 26; Eph. 3: 16; Phil. 1: 19). He is also the helper of the believers as a community, as it is written " So the church… was being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied" (Acts 9:31).
2. Comforting people
Each of us is called to be strong in the Lord, and to support and strengthen the others, and sometimes a few words make the difference. Remember that those who find their comfort in God will best know how to pass that comfort on to others. Here are some Biblical figures who comforted others.
A. Tychicus: While visiting the Churches and encouraging them, he is introduced twice as a link between believers " that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts" (Col. 4:8; Eph. 6:22). The heartfelt monitoring of the situation of the believers, their encouragement and guidance in their hardships, is the work of the dedicated shepherds and is not about knowing and spreading news!
B. Philemon: A blessed brother who cared for others, to whom Paul the apostle wrote: " For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you" (Philem. 7).
C. Boaz: By both words and deeds he encouraged and comforted the broken and desperate, and hereby is Ruth, a widow and stranger who had nothing, appreciates Boaz: " For you have comforted me, and have spoken kindly to your maidservant" (Ruth 2:13).
D. Paul and Silas: Both were imprisoned, yet even following this situation they supported others " Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia's house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them..." (Acts 16:40).
E. Titus: Comfort is multi-directional, after all, anyone who comforts, is comforted as well " God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you" (2 Cor. 7:6- 7).
3. Comforting things
A. The Word of God: Sharing the word of God is a fresh and refreshing source of comfort: “This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life… I have remembered your ordinances from of old, O Lord, and comfort myself …O may your lovingkindness comfort me, according to your word to your servant” (Ps. 119: 50, 52, 76).
B. Sufferers` steadfastness: God also uses those in distress to comfort others " For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ" (2 Cor. 1: 5).
C. Troubles: Especially in the heart of the storm, God wants to use us to stand by the others” I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.... For this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith (2 Cor. 7:4; 1 Thes. 3: 7).
4. Outcome of Comfort
A. Hope: " That we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope"… Indeed, may we all rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Rom. 15: 4; 5: 2).
B. Living in harmony: “Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus" (Rom. 15: 5). It is a call for a genuine change of mind toward a real appreciation of one another.
C. Consecration: Amid any tough situation, God guides and prepares us for further consecration to Him and dedication to the service of His children: " who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God… Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer" (2 Cor. 1: 4, 6).
D. Prayer: Our dedication to encourage others includes devoting extended time to praying for them by name. Do we support those around us as Jesus did, with love and gentleness, calmness and understanding? I wish we would always do this and more in God’s service... Sister, pray and send an encouraging text message... brother, pick up the phone just to say hi... it does make a big difference!!
5. Warning!
Eliphaz, Job's friend, well said to him: "Are the comforts of God too small for you?" (Job 15: 11), but in practice, he and his friends did not comfort their suffering friend Job. They philosophized, criticized and even judged him, to the point that he said to them: “Miserable comforters are you all… If only I were in your place, I could compose words against you and shake my head at you. Or I could strengthen you with my mouth, and the condolence of my lips could lessen your pain” (Job 16: 2, 4- 5). In other words, if their places were switched, Job could do to them that they have done to him, but he would know also how to encourage them properly. Unlike them, even in his weakness, Job tried to comfort them: “Listen carefully to my speech and let this be your way of consolation” (Job 21: 2).
Job's friends show us how not to console, but let us observe and learn from the descriptions of God's caressing and embracing comfort: " As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you… And comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow". Indeed, the heart of the believer may confidently reply: " You shall… comfort me on every side " (Isa. 66: 13; Jer. 31: 13; Ps. 71: 21).
Let us be true comforters, true disciples of Jesus who stand by our brothers and sisters in times of need, listen and encourage them, pray with and for them and share with them the words of the living God.
In the hardest of times, true comfort turns us to the great comforter – the God of all comfort.
Dr. Makram Meshreky is a Christian Arab lay minister and prolific author. He specializes in Bible background, comparative religion and Jewish & Muslim literature.
