Supernatural Comfort

Pep talks, whether we give them to our self or someone else gives us one, are usually rather useless and anti-climactic. They do not change our situation and the words ring with an empty echo in our soul. People mean well, but their words seem trite compared to our issues.

God gave us dozens of stories in His Word, with situations and outcomes similar to ours. He gives us the root cause and solution for each scenario too, so that we can draw comfort from the lives of these ancient Saints.

Jesus reminded us that we would have trials in life, just like He did; but then He comforts us with the revelation that He already overcame these trials; so He can help us through them, since He lives within us (Romans 15:4; John 16:33).

Paul, an accomplished soldier and statesman, lived a successful life until he met Jesus on the road to Damascus in broad daylight. He ended up blinded by the risen Jesus' great light, and this caused him to spend time in retrospection, introspection and meditation until his eyes healed.

From this experience and his future persecution, he learned to rejoice in every situation, because He knew that God hid the seed for a miracle within every one of them. If nothing else, trials teach us patience, just as his did.

After meeting Christ, Paul's life had so much more peace, because he allowed patience to do her perfecting work during the trials of life (2 Corinthians 1:3). God actually gave him rest for his soul as well as his body (Matthew 11:28; Hebrews 4:3).

As we learn from these examples, we count every trial as a joyous occasion too; and we develop this same patience, which perfects our faith (2 Corinthians 1:4). If we seek Him first, God always comforts us in times of discouragement and tribulation (2 Corinthians 7:6).

As we draw near to God, and trust only in Him, He provides for us in such magnanimous ways that we cannot help but to shout it from the rooftops (and post it in our social media accounts) (Psalm 73:28). In times of illness or grief, and even on our deathbed, God sustains us (Psalm 41:3).

Prayer:

Father God, thank You for delivering us whenever we call on You (Psalm 50:15). In our weakest moments in life, You give us Your strength. We end up boasting in the victorious outcome of our trials, because of the supernatural work, which You accomplish for us in each one of them (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

You are our refuge and strength, and You remove our fear by consoling us throughout our lifetime (Psalm 46:1-2; Isaiah 40:29). You are our Father of Lights and we glorify You and give You all the praise for giving us Your character, nature and gifts (James 1:17). Thank You for allowing us to cast our burdens on You, for sustaining us and caring for us, and for not allowing life to overcome us (Psalm 55:22).

Thought for the Day:

Through the comfort and patience we learn through reading the scriptures, we develop hope, which keeps us from feeling shame and discouragement during times of trouble and trials. - Romans 5:5, 15:4

Sitting Quietly at Jesus' Feet

Sitting quietly at Jesus' feet is a tremendously healing endeavor. We cease from our labors and listen to His voice, feel His hand stroking our head, breathing in unison with Him as He listens to our troubles and trials, and receives our praise.

His presence fills us with His peace and joy in spite of circumstances. His ministry to our spirit by His Spirit makes a lasting impression on our soul as He calms the raging sea within our thoughts and emotions.

It is easier to keep busy than to sit quietly and still. We rush headlong into life and ignore the deep recesses of our soul that need healing; but these unresolved conflicts tear us down every day for the rest of our life - until we are willing to sit quietly and listen to our soul.

We feel vulnerable when too much of our inner self is exposed to the light of day. Satan's condemnation, the world's expectations and the negative self-talk in us from years of input by significant others in our life, make us uncomfortable with confronting our fears and insecurities.

It is important to pause during the day to prop up our feet, drink a cup of tea, do a craft, watch a wholesome show or movie, play a video game, paint a picture, learn a musical instrument, etc. This gives our soul a much needed chance to play and experience a time of abandon and creativity.

Proven scientific studies show that meditation decreases our negative attitudes and neurosis, as well as increases our feelings of control and security. Meditating on God's Word heals these psychosomatic issues and decreases their effects on our life.

                                                                  

God's Spirit is sanctifying our soul little by little and day by day. Our carnality is decreasing so that He may increase in us and through us. We do not attempt to perfect our self (Galatians 3:1-3), but we surrender to God's work within us (Romans 8). 

We pray without ceasing by consulting God each moment of our day (Proverbs 3:5-6) and we walk in the Spirit rather than fulfilling the former, diminishing, carnal desires of our flesh (Galatians 5:15-25; Colossians 3:3-4). We live in victory and fulfillment with His ceaseless peace and joy.

Prayer:

Father God, You draw us to Your heart through our wounds, scars and brokenness. You accomplish Your most powerful miracles through those of us who turn toward You in our weakness, rather than blaming You and turning away from You in our distress. You plant a seed for a miracle in every trial.

You use our brokenness to prove Your love for us and that You are sovereign in our life. You call us by name and give us treasures from our darkness and riches in the midst of the secret places of grief in our soul (Isaiah 45:3). Thank You for setting us free from worldly concerns and for reminding us to stay focused on You and Your will throughout our day.

Thought for the Day:

When we walk in the power and anointing of Christ in us and fulfill God's will for our life, we see the lasting fruit both of God's sanctifying work in our soul and of our spiritual endeavors in the lives of those God brings into our life; this causes us to rejoice constantly in God's faithfulness and goodness. 

An Exchanged Life

Many people argue that they do not need Christ dwelling within them to enjoy a changed life. They use meditation, medication, Yoga, Tai Chi, Eastern religions and pure will power to make a better life for themselves. However, a changed life is not the only benefit of admitting we are sinners and trusting in Christ for our salvation (Romans 3:23, 6:23).

Jesus not only reforms us, but He also renews us by bringing our spirit to life within us. His sacrifice on the cross makes us co-heirs with Him of the entire Kingdom of God (Romans 8:17; Philippians 3:20-21). He comes to dwell within us by His Spirit who sanctifies us and disciplines us until we walk in a transformed life (Hebrews 10:10, 12:11; 2 Corinthians 3:18). He give us an exchanged life.

God forgives us of every sin - past, present and even future sins. However, we no longer desire to sin, but seek to live a life free of sin and its penalties (I John 1:3). Yet, if we fail, we are not under condemnation (Romans 8:1; 1 John 1:9). We reap many of the consequences, but none of the penalties of the mistakes we make.

God is involved in every area of our life, which we surrender to Him. We relinquish our free will and submit our choices to Him. We walk in victory through life, regardless of the circumstances we face. We have the presence of Christ in our life both now an in eternity. He gives us the fullness of the fruit of His character and His divine nature to live life on earth to its fullest (Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Corinthians 5:8; 1 John 3:2).

Prayer:

Father God, Your everlasting joy resides in our heart both now and forever (Psalm 16:11). Yet, we are so focused on the material world around us, and the circumstances we face, that we fail to notice Your love and peace, which

surround us (Romans 8:38-39). Nothing occurs in our life without Your express permission (Job 1:12). You promise never to leave us or to forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). You remain faithful to us, even when we wander from You for a season (2 Timothy 2:13).

Thought for the Day:

God promises us to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our husband and our whole life. – Colossians 3:4; 2 Corinthians 11:2