Troubled? Afflicted? Exhausted? Disillusioned?
If you’re at all like me, then that can be part of your Christian experience—sometimes all at the same time. God will comfort you. That's who He is. He doesn't comfort you because you do anything right or anything wrong. He comforts because that’s who and how He is. Comfort is what He has for you because comfort is who He is. (John 16:7; 2 Cor 1:3-7)
Interestingly enough, you may also expect Him to provide counsel along with comfort since the two words may be used interchangeably. That figures, doesn't it?
Posts
Yes, yes, yes and yes
ReplyDeleteI dig it.
ReplyDeleteYes - this has been my experience! What's up with believers who won't admit they experience affliction? That's exactly WHERE He comforts and counsels...even through us with each other at times... thanks, Ralph.♥.
ReplyDeleteYes, Victoria, I agree! Those who deny affliction may be in denial, calling it faith.
ReplyDeleteWeakness, however it comes, is such a common gateway to experience God Himself. It certainly is scary to not muster some sort of fleshly appearance of "all-right-ness" during trouble, but we miss out on knowing God as well as the astonishment of His nearness and ability in us.
ReplyDeleteYes!! Loved the reminder Ralph! As usual your posts always hit the right spot!!
ReplyDelete'There's plenty of fruit in the valley...'
ReplyDeleteWell said, Ralph - and thank you, Jackie. Frustrating for me, too, when I risk going "maskless" and get walloped (verbally:-) for revealing a painful thing in my life. Lately I feel guarded again but this should not be so, unless we're to only open up to a select few. To many, still, admitting trouble appears as faithlessness. Okay, thanks for letting me vent on your wall, Ralph -I'm outta here. Loved your message!
ReplyDeleteRelational navigation by mask is this world’s required skill for acceptance. Of course, acceptance means a terrible cover-up (particularly for the sons and daughters of God) and painful frustration because we’re not actually ourselves. Relational navigation by mask is one of the biggest causes of failure in people today. That it is practiced and even encouraged amongst the church is surely one of Satan’s greatest achievements. But there are many of us wearied of it all, and we are helping others throw off the pretending by writing books (like mine, like John Lynch’s and Wayne Jacobsen’s) and songs, meeting for coffee or a beer, calling and texting, and being willing to ache and long right in front of others.
ReplyDelete"Relational navigation by mask", ummm, I have to find a way to use that somewhere. :-)
ReplyDeleteTrue, a good share!
ReplyDeleteI think One of my very favorite Words that Jesus Spoke to his disciples, (and to us) was when He told them He would be leaving this world, AND HE SAID: BUT don't be sad, BECAUSE I'M LEAVING YOU A COMFORTER....Yes, our Comfort what was on Jesus' mind!!! John 16:7...Yes, our comfort is very important to Jesus!
ReplyDeleteAMEN!! And he is full of compassion..
ReplyDelete