Chasing CarrotsSample

Chasing Comfort

Whether we’re stressed, hurt, tired, lonely, or just bored, we all find ourselves at times chasing comfort. Who hasn’t overspent, overeaten, overslept, overdrunk, and overestimated the ability of stuff to actually deliver lasting comfort?

The word “comfort” has its own complicated history. It comes from two Latin word parts, com-, which means “together with,” and fortis, which means “strong or strength.” Later, the Latin word confortare came to mean “to strengthen much.” Eventually, an Old French word, conforter, added words like “solace” and “help” to the definition. In the 14th century, another French word conforten was defined as “to cheer up, console.” Finally, by the 17th century, the English version of the word began to imply the sense of physical ease that we understand today. 

Why does this matter? In about a millennium, the word “comfort” went from meaning, “together-strength,” to meaning “pain-barrier.”

Do you see God as your strength, together with you in the midst of pain, or as your barrier from pain? 

The prophet Isaiah foretold of a Messiah who would enter our world to be wounded for our transgressions and suffer for our healing. If the very nature of our faith is to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, then let us consider His response to pain. In 1 Peter 2:21-25, we see a Savior who accepted pain quietly despite having done nothing to earn it. Jesus does not avoid pain or look for a scapegoat; He comes into our world and makes our pain His pain.

Jesus is together-strength. Then, before He goes back to be with the Father, He promises us that the Holy Spirit —a “Comforter”—would not only be together with us, but in us! That’s something worth chasing. 

So, let’s not chase the worldly version of comfort—bingeing Netflix series with our trusty friends Ben & Jerry. Instead, let’s pursue comfort from the Holy Spirit, knowing that it doesn’t mean a pain-free life but comfort in the middle of pain. 

Pray: God, I don’t like discomfort, but I love You. Please change my understanding of Your comfort, and help me to really feel it. Holy Spirit, show me how Your “together-strength” is with me and in me. Jesus, thank You for bearing my shame on the cross. Amen.