Where do you find comfort?
2 years ago I was in the country of Latvia in Europe. I was staying in a 200 year old school that is now run as a Drug and Alcohol Addiction Center. My team and I did Bible studies with the men and women at the center ever morning.
One day while I was out on a walk, Holy Spirit spoke to me saying, “Jordan, you know you are just like these men and women at the center. You seek your comfort in other things besides Me”.
He began showing me how I go to certain things for comfort other than Him.
I would go to candy/sugary things for comfort. I began noticing how when I was in an uncomfortable situation, I would subconsciously reach into my pocket and pull out a candy to eat (which I kept on me at all times).
For years I have gone to porn to comfort me. When I was stressed or frustrated with people or circumstances, porn would temporarily satisfy me.
I would go to certain people that bring me comfort. If I’m in a room with a bunch of strangers, I try to seek out somebody I do know.
When I am in a restaurant and the other person I am with goes to the bathroom, I would take out my iPod because I couldn’t stand the discomfort of being alone.
If I am alone and don’t have anything to do, I will often go to food to fill the void. Food brings me a lot of comfort.
There are probably many more things that I seek comfort in that I don’t have listed above.
Maybe for you it is sports, movies, TV, Netflix, cars, video games, music, alcohol, drugs, sex, nature, boats, reading, motorcycles, work, shopping, new clothes, home, constant change, relationships, Diet Coke, traveling, gambling, physical touch, talking, being alone, sleeping, partying, and so much more.
You might be thinking, “What’s wrong with all these?”
The answer….Nothing. (Except porn, drugs and gambling)
Jesus always brought things back to the heart when dealing with sin. Adultery starts with lust. Murder starts with anger. It’s all about where our heart is at, not the action itself. Sex is a beautiful thing in the context of marriage. Food is an amazing thing to share with friends and family. I could go through each thing on the list (except porn, drugs and gambling) and talk about how it is perfectly fine to do with the right heart.
As I have traveled across the world into 25 different countries and 4 different continents, I have seen people of all sorts of cultures and religions seek comfort in other things beside God.
In India they chew Beatle Nut which is a disgusting looking orange chew that gives them a buzz. In Soviet countries, alcohol is a huge problem. In Muslim countries they don’t drink, but so many smoke or do hookah. In most Asian countries you find really sweet treats everywhere. Everywhere around the world you can find comfort in Coca-Cola. In North America, fast food is a huge comfort.
Humans desire to be comforted. God designed us this way. But we as Christians need to learn how to seek comfort in God and not in man-made things.
You see, Jesus tells us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him. Most Christians I know only do that if it’s convenient for them. But we are called go into all the world and make disciples. We are called to share the gospel even if we are persecuted. Most Christians I know (myself included) don’t know what it’s like to suffer for Christ. We, like the rest of the world seek comfort in all those things listed above.
So how can we as Christians tell other people about God being so good when we often go to those things other than God for comfort?
We NEED to learn how to seek God for our comfort. Because it is so much more than us. We need to model for the rest of the world what it looks like to go to God for our comfort. The world is seeking to find comfort in so many things and we have what they are looking for. But it starts with us modeling it for them by living it out ourselves.
Take some time and ask God for ways that you’ve been seeking other things for comfort. Confess them and Repent from those things.
Next, ask Him WHY you go to those things for comfort.
Lastly, ask God how He wants to fill those places of discomfort in your life and follow His leading. He may ask you to do something uncomfortable, but His purpose is good and you can trust Him.
Let me know if this spoke to you in any way!
