At the beginning of this year, as a church, we were given the word “uncomfortable.” This word has challenged me in many ways…I wonder if it has done the same for you?
I’ve been asked to step out and walk towards things that terrify me, and yet God has been holding my hand all along, even in the midst of those scary moments.
I think this is what Jesus is promising His disciples in his statement in John 15:26 (NLT):
“But I will send you the Advocate — the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.”
Advocate can also be translated Comforter.
Comfort in the midst of being uncomfortable.
As Jesus was preparing for His imminent death and later ascension to the Father, there is no doubt that everyone in the room was uncomfortable. They had been following Jesus wholeheartedly all the years of His ministry, growing and learning from the One who could take away their sins.
I have to wonder what this discomfort caused in their own hearts. Was there a feeling of abandonment, like Jesus was leaving them here to fend for themselves? Did they wonder if He was really who He said He was? Couldn’t someone who raised a man from the dead (Lazarus), and stop His very own death?
There is no doubt that these questions and many others swirled through the disciples’ minds. But Jesus promised something beautiful here — comfort in the midst of all this chaos. A feeling of safety, knowing that God was holding the world in His hands, and that His plans would ultimately prevail.
I wonder what it would look like for us to receive the Holy Spirit’s comfort in the midst of our “uncomfortable?” To receive His comfort in the midst of being called to do good things for God that are very difficult. When we are stretched thin, or at the end of our rope, or trying our best to push through…what would it be like to receive comfort from the Spirit?
I was thinking about how this has played out in my own life, and the Spirit has really comforted me in a variety of ways. One I can think of is physical refreshment…after a long day of serving or speaking or writing or going out and doing whatever God has called me to do, God often provides a little pocket of time where I get to eat and to rest. A little “Elijah” moment for my weary heart.
Another way is when He shows up and gives me words when I have none to share! He reminds me of truths hidden deep in my heart because His Spirit is alive in me. Often times I come to writing this “On Course” devotion without anything inside, yet He illuminates a truth at the very last moment before I need it.
I also feel the Spirit as my Comforter when the grief of the world threatens to swallow me whole. You know, when the news just gets too heavy to bear, and you start to wonder…what kind of world is this that we live in? In those moments, He showers me with scripture at just the right time to comfort and guide my weary soul.
At the end of the day, God wants to comfort us…even in the uncomfortable.
He wants to be that calm and steady presence. The warm hug that comes even as the rain pours down.
Would you let Him comfort you? Even as your minds spins, or anxiety comes knocking, or the phone call you never wanted comes…can you still let Him bring you comfort in that? I think this is what it means when He promises us His peace in Philippians 4:7
“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (NLT)
The peace is beyond what we can explain, but it’s exactly what we need. We need His comfort now more than ever, and may we embrace it right in the middle of the uncomfortable.
I’ve been asked to step out and walk towards things that terrify me, and yet God has been holding my hand all along, even in the midst of those scary moments.
I think this is what Jesus is promising His disciples in his statement in John 15:26 (NLT):
“But I will send you the Advocate — the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.”
Advocate can also be translated Comforter.
Comfort in the midst of being uncomfortable.
As Jesus was preparing for His imminent death and later ascension to the Father, there is no doubt that everyone in the room was uncomfortable. They had been following Jesus wholeheartedly all the years of His ministry, growing and learning from the One who could take away their sins.
I have to wonder what this discomfort caused in their own hearts. Was there a feeling of abandonment, like Jesus was leaving them here to fend for themselves? Did they wonder if He was really who He said He was? Couldn’t someone who raised a man from the dead (Lazarus), and stop His very own death?
There is no doubt that these questions and many others swirled through the disciples’ minds. But Jesus promised something beautiful here — comfort in the midst of all this chaos. A feeling of safety, knowing that God was holding the world in His hands, and that His plans would ultimately prevail.
I wonder what it would look like for us to receive the Holy Spirit’s comfort in the midst of our “uncomfortable?” To receive His comfort in the midst of being called to do good things for God that are very difficult. When we are stretched thin, or at the end of our rope, or trying our best to push through…what would it be like to receive comfort from the Spirit?
I was thinking about how this has played out in my own life, and the Spirit has really comforted me in a variety of ways. One I can think of is physical refreshment…after a long day of serving or speaking or writing or going out and doing whatever God has called me to do, God often provides a little pocket of time where I get to eat and to rest. A little “Elijah” moment for my weary heart.
Another way is when He shows up and gives me words when I have none to share! He reminds me of truths hidden deep in my heart because His Spirit is alive in me. Often times I come to writing this “On Course” devotion without anything inside, yet He illuminates a truth at the very last moment before I need it.
I also feel the Spirit as my Comforter when the grief of the world threatens to swallow me whole. You know, when the news just gets too heavy to bear, and you start to wonder…what kind of world is this that we live in? In those moments, He showers me with scripture at just the right time to comfort and guide my weary soul.
At the end of the day, God wants to comfort us…even in the uncomfortable.
He wants to be that calm and steady presence. The warm hug that comes even as the rain pours down.
Would you let Him comfort you? Even as your minds spins, or anxiety comes knocking, or the phone call you never wanted comes…can you still let Him bring you comfort in that? I think this is what it means when He promises us His peace in Philippians 4:7
“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (NLT)
The peace is beyond what we can explain, but it’s exactly what we need. We need His comfort now more than ever, and may we embrace it right in the middle of the uncomfortable.
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.