Growing up in a very ethnic area, I often found a variety of food that was constantly available to please my palate. Living there, I grew to love Slovak, Croatian, Greek, Puerto Rican, and Italian dishes. After I got married and moved away, I would find myself making some of these meals. I usually created them when my spirits were low, I missed home, and I desired comfort. However, when I made the meal, I was never truly comforted, even though I made it exactly how I remembered. Home was a place where family gathered and laughter was heard. Problems were solved, and discussions were held, even in opposing manners. At times, I physically longed for those moments because, after all, doesn’t good food bring comfort, especially when paired with the right company?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Many things in this world only bring us temporal comfort. I learned that very quickly shortly into our marriage. I moved 16 hours away from my parents, and no matter how many meals I prepared to fill the void of being away from family, it was a temporary comfort that disappeared quickly, leaving me with a sinkful of dishes with dirty pots and pans to clean up.
As I grow in my Christian walk, I see comfort as one thing sought after in this world for relief from trials and troubled times. When we see a loved one in pain, we long to minister and comfort them. A prayer request goes out, and our heart yearns to comfort the one having a difficult time. We empathize with those suffering and want them not to feel any pain but rather to experience comfort while they go through their heartache or to remove their “thorn” altogether. David said it best in Psalm 55:6, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.” He desired to fly away and be at rest, comforted from his problems and not have to deal with them!
Our hearts crave comfort, and they can be comforted when we meet personally with our Heavenly Father. When my food cravings come, and I falsely believe it will satisfy me and calm my inward man, I am only setting myself up for disappointment. It may not be a food craving for you. It could be spending time on mindless activities so you do not have to deal with reality or shopping to the extent you buy more than you need. Do you call your friends and talk to them continually, rehearsing the pain you feel in their ears? The list is endless. Yet, it all has the same result. If we seek comfort in the things of this world to divert our attention in our troubled times, we will only be disappointed.
My food cravings were an indication of my heart’s need of wanting to be at home. To be with family and those who would listen to me. Those who would give me comfort amid my trials, albeit temporary. Stepping back and thinking about the word “comfort” has drawn me to the conclusion that God gives within me a longing for comfort, not to be satisfied by this world but instead by Himself alone.
Paul desired comfort from the removal of his thorn in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. He asked God three times to remove it so he did not have to feel the pain and the side effects. God did not remove the thorn; instead, Paul was kept humble and dependent on the Lord through his troubled time, and to our knowledge his thorn was never taken away. Have you asked God to remove your “thorn” so you can feel comfort once again? Maybe God has it there to keep you humble and dependent on Him, so He is the only One you can run to and your only source of consolation.
What are practical applications to help you through your troubled times when you desire comfort for your soul?
- Make it a habit to go to God. If your practice now is to run to the things of this world for comfort, whether it be food, friends, shopping, or addictions, now is the time to confess to the Lord that you have been running to the wrong things. Consistently, when hard times come, go to Him and His word for consolation alone. It will be difficult initially, but the more you practice and follow through with it, the more you will find true satisfaction in Jesus Christ. There is nothing wrong with going to friends and asking for prayer or support. I am thankful for those who have walked through tough times with me. Yet, if my friends are my only source of comfort, it is like trying to fill a bucket with holes full of water. It’s impossible. (Philippians 4:6, I Thessalonians 5:17, Jeremiah 33:3, Psalm 34:17, Psalm 63)
- Make it a habit to focus on others instead of yourself. Share your burden and need for comfort with God and a few close friends. Then, pray about ways you can be a blessing to others. As odd as it sounds, I have found that when I focus on others and their need to be comforted, God takes care of me and I simultaneously experience His spirit ministering to my soul. I often leave feeling comforted when I give of myself to others. (Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:1-8)
- Make it a habit to be thankful for everything. Looking back, when I made comfort food, I was not in a thankful, content mood. Instead, I was complaining about my lot in life. When walking through your troubled times, pray that God would open your eyes to find things to be thankful for in your circumstances. It is there, but we need eyes of faith to see it sometimes. (I Thess. 5:18, Psalm 107:1, Colossians 3:15-17, Philippians 4:6, Psalm 100:4)
We all go through this life and often need comfort in troubled times. It will not come from this world, comfort foods, or other means, but rather when we make it a habit to go to God, be thankful, and think of others.
Do you need comfort today? You can have it, but how you receive it is up to you. You can continue to run to the things of this world to satisfy you temporarily or to the One who offers eternal satisfaction in every situation you experience.
