Finding comfort

Finding meaningful, healthy comfort is a curious pursuit.  There are a gazillion ways we can be placated, but in the end we realize that we are not really comforted deeply in our souls.  Indeed we look for comfort (and we want it ASAP), but depending on our source of comfort, when we've exhausted our resources, we may be left with increased discomfort and angst. 

Take milk chocolate, for example.  It's a delicious escape, a momentary distraction, a delectable pleasure that really fires off my brain from that initial bite!   I get the feel-goods almost immediately!

​And then there's the reality:  my waistline, my cholesterol,  and the devastating impact of sugar on my brain and body.  These effects represent the discomfort phase of the cycle, and it's a bit bittersweet, wouldn't you say?

My lands, is it any wonder that we struggle with addictions?  We comfort ourselves with our comfort items of choice and then feel uncomfortable and have to keep comforting ourselves with the very thing that makes us uncomfortable!  

​Thus my quest to discover a better way to find comfort!

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I am a huge fan of Dr. David Levy.  He really has my mind pondering this notion of comfort.  I recognize that when I am in need of comfort,  sometimes I seek counterfeit comforts, like self-pity or anything that distracts.   

After a bit of Bible study, I found that some people sought comfort from God when they were:

• afflicted or in tribulation
• slipping in their Christian walk
• in need of healing
• mourning the loss of loved one, intense grief and sadness

One struggle we may have in receiving comfort from God is that it may not be instant, and we are quite accustomed to on-demand *everything*.  Folks are living their lives in the immediate--we are connected, on-call 24/7 and expect the rest of the world to be actively engaged right there with us.   

It's easy to feel discouraged while we wait because, let's face it, it's hard to endure emotional and physical pain.    We want relief.  

Over the next several posts, I would like to share what I am learning about finding comfort.  There are a few things we can do to help ourselves, and it shouldn't surprise you that a good place to start is with a grateful heart.

Even in the deepest pit, the darkest shadow, the most agonizing grief, and a million unanswered whys?  there is always, always room to pause and be grateful for something.  I might contend that gratitude is the first step, the step we positively cannot skip, if we truly desire to find the comfort that endures.

So please stay tuned as we unpack what we can do to find comfort in our trying situations.  

Please leave a comment.  I would love to know what your thoughts are on the topic!

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Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies and God of all comfort...
​2 Cor. 1:3