Is it really possible to experience inner peace in the midst of any situation, no matter the circumstances?
The Christmas season often magnifies our everyday emotions. For many, it really does feel like the most wonderful time of the year. For others, the full calendar brings feelings of stress and pressure.
For still others, the celebrations, the decorations, and the music, are bittersweet. The loss of a loved one overshadows the beauty of the season. The familiar rituals open old wounds. And what of those who are, even now, experiencing the searing pain of fresh loss, watching a beloved spouse or child slip away? Where is God’s peace in moments like these?
Whether we feel it or not, the fact is that God is constantly reaching out His hand to us, ready to comfort us-- if we will only receive it. Unfortunately, instead of looking to the Lord for comfort we turn to earthly counterfeits, temporary salves for our deep hurts. All the while, God stands ready with His tested, enduring love and comfort. He leads us beside quiet waters, restoring our soul, and as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we don’t have to fear the evil that may befall us, for He is with us, His rod and staff comfort us (Ps. 23:2-4).
Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the Comforter, the paraclete (i.e. John 14:16,26,15:26), and in this role He fulfills two functions: to lead us to the truth and to remind us of God’s promises. The comfort the Spirit offers is the truth about God and His steadfast love for us, and the truth about who we are in Christ. God is not a god who sleeps, rather, He is constantly working for the good of His beloved children, for whom He works all things together for good. The Spirit gently reminds us of this even when we are languishing in our doubts and fears, offering comfort in eternal love.
But we can ignore, even reject this comfort. In Psalm 77 Asaph speaks of holding out his hand, even while seeking the Lord in his trouble, refusing to be comforted. How many times do we wallow in our desperate prayers, stiff-arming God’s offer of comfort? We talk. We rage. But we don’t listen. We prefer to feel awful, even to punish ourselves, over receiving the grace and peace He gives.
Do you need God’s comfort today? Perhaps today is your day to finally cease striving, to rest in the embrace of a loving Father. We can rest easy knowing that those who mourn are blessed, for they will be comforted (Matt. 5:4). We can comfort each other with the comfort by which we ourselves are comforted by God (II Cor. 1:4). And we can release our worries and fears at the quiet waters He would lead us to... if we would only follow.
A Prayer
If we trust and have faith in the Lord
He will answer our prayers
He will show us the way
He will protect us from danger
He will shower us with love.
He will save you from fear.
You will never be alone.
If we trust and have faith in the Lord
He will answer our prayers
He will show us the way
He will protect us from danger
He will shower us with love.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
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