Nom Nom Nom

What is your ultimate comfort food? I love a perfectly brewed cup of coffee, the gurgling and aroma filling the room as it brews. The expectation of that first sip, and then finally, warm and comforting in my hands, I take the first sip. Ahhh....

When disappointment comes in life, as it undoubtedly does, we seek comfort. On a hard day, I find myself brewing coffee at 3 in the afternoon. I need something good to focus on in the midst of it all, and being able to hold something tangible, let alone taste something delicious, doesn't solve the problem, but it sure makes me feel better.

Disappointment is what...too much expectation? Too much hope? Thinking you’d do it differently? Life is messy and filled with disappointments. Although we turn to tangible things to hold onto during times like these, God’s hope can fill our need.

Maybe you look to someone to fill that need. Or an event. A job. It could be anything. We’re told to put energy into these things, and while sometimes that can be good, what we really need to do is make a complete 180 and put our full energy into God. But how do we do that? How can I put energy into something that I can’t even see or hold? Won’t that just be another disappointment?

We put energy into God by meeting Him each day. Yep. Every. Single. Day. Find a quiet, calm place without distractions. I know it’s hard, but try to set up a space that will be ready so that you’re not scrambling to find books, journals, your bible...you’ll enter the space with peace instead of craziness. As you meet Him each day, you will come to understand who God is. He will meet you there. He shows you, little by little, step by step, who He is. Consistency is key. And this is where your deepest needs will be met and your heart will be comforted. Keep in mind that God does not operate on our timeline. He never rushes into things, He will not go "ZAP!" and everything is better. But if you start to pay attention, you will notice the little tuggings of your heart. The slight changes in your circumstances. A shift in perspective.

Years ago, I was deep in the dark. I couldn't go anymore down- I was at the bottom. The only thing I had left in me was to pray, and it may have sounded like pleading to God. The tangible I could hold onto during that time was how my perspective continued to shift. Noticing the beautiful orange leaves as fall began that I hadn't even seen. So sad to leave my baby to go to work, but then feeling useful and helpful to those around me at work- purpose. Giving me a pep in my step so that I bounced down the hallways with a smile- not my usual personality LOL!! Finding scripture that so completely fit what I needed to hear at that time. By the time I went to the doctor (because it takes weeks to get in) I was a different person. Not suddenly, but over time. Filling my heart with comfort, then changing the way I saw things, revealing His truth to me. One step at a time.

The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. Isaiah 50:4

When we’re disappointed, what we look for is comfort. God is a God of comfort and will meet us where we are.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

I know the language from long ago may seem strange today, but it does still apply. I am not affiliated with this writer or website, but I thought their explanation of the rod and staff were spot on.

We also put energy into God by showing His love to others. This can come with time, as you meet with Him and He lays on your heart who to serve, but think about it- what are simple ways to show His love? Maybe it’s as simple as starting to notice those around you. Everyone is hurting somehow, and when you ask God to open your eyes, you will find ways you can help show His love and grace. Help someone wheel their cart back into the store. Help someone at the self check-out that is in a wheel chair. Show the mom, who is yelling at her kids, obviously frazzled and worn out, grace instead of shame with a, "I know how those days go. You got it mama." Maybe it is calling someone in your family that you don't normally talk to. We are so busy rushing around in our own lives- and I'm guilty of this too- that we don't even see others. It has become acceptable- essential- in our society. Get it done, rush, rush, rush, hurry, hurry, hurry! Jesus showed us to notice others.

He had to go through Samaria on the way. Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” John 4: 4-10

Notice how this starts by explaining how Jesus was tired. Jesus not only stopped to speak to a woman, who were not considered equal at the time (showing us that He does see women as equal), but also spoke to a Samaritan- who, as the woman said, did not cross paths with Jews. He noticed everyone around Him- and particularly those that society shunned. Because of His noticing her, she ran back to her village and told everyone about Jesus. Notice how they asked Him to stay longer, and He did.

Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.” John 4: 39-42

Read the full story here.

He just wants us to slow down and see that we all need to be noticed. We are all hurting. We are all in need of a Savior. We all need grace from one another. More importantly, when we are seeking God for our own comfort, He fulfills us to a point that we are able to pour comfort upon others.

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

So go ahead and make that warm cup of coffee. Then curl up in your favorite chair to spend a little time with the One who loves you the most, the God of all comfort. I promise, you will not be disappointed.

How do I "spend time" with God? Some simple ways to get started:

• Pray. He doesn't care about fancy words or elaborate prayers. Simply say, "Jesus," and He comes right to you. He knows what you need.

• Open the bible. Again, I recommend a study bible of some kind. Starting with Psalms (especially if you need comfort) or the gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John of the New Testament are good places to start.

• Write down how you're feeling. Then use those words as your prayers. It's as simple as having a conversation with a good friend.

• Be still. Close your eyes, and just be. Just like meditation, when thoughts come to your mind, revert your mind back to God and His goodness. He notices those thoughts and holds them for you. The little tuggings that come to your heart- that is His voice. You will know it by its type. It's never shame. It is complete love.

• Memorize scripture. When you memorize it, the words will quickly come to you when you are seeking comfort. It's like a direct express of truth from God.

God,

I come before you to try to understand how you can fulfill my heart, and be the comfort I so desperately seek. I bring you my circumstances (talk about them here). I trust you to take them in Your hands, and help me through. Help me understand Your comfort, help me see that You are with me, and guide me in my next step.

In Jesus' name I pray,

Amen.

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.