Four thoughts on Comfort

 After deciding on the word Comfort for 2023 I had jotted down a few thoughts and some verses; when I posted about choosing the word I actually had forgotten that I had written down those thoughts.  So, today I'm going to share four thoughts on the idea of comfort.  I certainly don't have this all figured out but these came to mind.

The verse God gave me to meditate on for this idea of comfort is Psalm 119:76

The word for comfort in this verse transliterated to English is nacham; which means console oneself.  When life is hard, when we are grieved or disappointed,  we can take comfort in the promises God has spoken in Scripture. God never changes. Hebrews 13:8 Says "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." The promises He spoke are still true today. 

Four Thoughts on Comfort:

1) Jesus calls us to take rest in Him.  He is the source of True rest. (Matthew 11:28-29)

  

Image from bible.com

2) We receive comfort so that we can comfort others. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

 

3) We are to use our words to comfort others. (Proverbs 25:11 & Romans 12:15)

 

4) Our comfort in Christ gives us victory over the fears and troubles of this world. (John 16:33)

     **I found this explanation on BibleHub.com's lexicon to be interesting.  The transliterated word for "take heart" or "be of good courage", "be of good cheer" is the word tharseo; this "refers to "God bolstering the believer, empowering them with a bold inner attitude. For the believer, tharseo ("showing boldness") is the result of the Lord infusing His strength by His inworking of faith." 

When life is hard we can be comforted that God is the One working in us.  We don't have to try and work up our own strength and courage to face this world.  God empowers us through His strength; and we can take comfort because He has already overcome anything we face in this world.  God already has won the victory!