“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
We all have a comfort zone.
What’s your comfort zone?
We don’t want to worry about making ends meet, we want to have enough food, clothes, and conveniences to make life, well – comfortable. And there is nothing inherently wrong with pursuing security, peace of mind, or well-being. So, when we read about the “God of all comfort,” it’s easy for us to translate that phrase into the “God of my comforts.” We begin thinking that God must be all about making our lives easy, safe, and secure.
The problem, however, begins when we focus more on pursuing a life that is comfortable, predictable, and “safe,” rather than a life pursuing God’s will.
Before long, we start to miss out on God’s best for us.
Don’t believe me? Let’s look at two problems pursuing comfort above all else can cause:
- Comparison: What does a safe, comfortable life look like? Well, it depends on where you look. The salary that provides peace of mind to one might be insufficient to another. The more we try to measure our level of well-being and satisfaction against others, the more we will discover there’s always someone with a bigger ‘emergency fund’ or more job security – living a more ‘comfortable’ life. Comparison will rob us of joy in our blessings and provisions.
- God’s Plan vs. My Plan: God didn’t call Christians to a life of security and comfort, but one of faith, sacrifice, and risk! To truly love and serve others will always involve a step of faith and some level of sacrifice – whether that’s your time, finances, or your comfort. Without faith, it is impossible to please God, and steps of faith force us out of our comfort zone.
God did not promise a safe, easy life, but a life of joy – if we choose to pursue Him first.
We might not always know where we’re going or what’s around the corner, but we can trust that we’re not alone in the journey and that the God of all comfort will fill in the details. Knowing just how unpredictable life can be, that promise is pretty comforting.
Adapted from a sermon by George Wright, Senior Pastor, Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Birmingham, AL
DIG DEEPER
Read “Do You Know the God of Comfort?” also by George Wright
