Finding Comfort in God’s Word

This world can be uncomfortable. All too often, our hearts are wounded and our efforts to soothe ourselves can be more harmful than helpful. We’ve tried what the world has to offer (self-care, exercise, and varieties of substances), and we don’t feel better.

Where can we turn for comfort?

The Lord wants to comfort us (Isaiah 40:1) and calls Himself the God of Comfort (Rom 15:13). How do we know that the Lord wants to comfort us? The word of God. The Bible reveals God’s character and how He relates to the world and to us as individuals.

Does the Bible address my pain?

Our faulty thinking about God can cause us emotional distress. If we believe that God does not notice us, we can think we are left to fend for ourselves. This line of thought can lead to a variety of traps (anxiety from trying to control everything, despair because our efforts at control have failed, or loneliness because we believe we are unloved).

Accurate thinking about God aligns our perspectives with God’s truth. First, we remember that God’s word (the bible) is true and written for our benefit (All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 2 Tim 3:16). Psalm 119:28 tells us, that when “My soul melts away for sorrow”; God will “strengthen me according to Your word!” With that established, we can confidently turn to the bible to learn about God’s character. I am so grateful that Mission Hills Church is Bible driven. Our church family is encouraged to apply the truth of God’s word through sermons, in our Life Groups, and our Next Gen Ministries.

Biblical truth comforts our hearts

One of the best parts of being a Biblical counselor is revealing a truth about God and getting to watch the comfort that truth brings. When I explain to a counselee that God loves us far more than we can imagine (Eph 3:17-19) and that His mercy wins (James 2:13), it changes the focus from pain to worship. When someone grasps that Jesus paid the price for their sin (Romans 5:6-11) and realizes that “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1), truth conquers their shame and guilt. Focusing on the truth that God “will never leave us or forsake us” (Heb 13:5, Deut 31:8), shatters loneliness and feelings of abandonment.

“Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you know the truth, and the truth will set you free”. (John 8:31-32) The truth about who God is and how He relates to His creation sets us free.

That is great comfort!