The Danger of being comfortable

Years ago someone told me that God helps in two basic ways. If I’m struggling in a rocky stream, He might remove the rocks, or He might deepen the water. I’ve noticed over the years that most prayer in troubled times asks that He removes the rocks.

Today’s reading defines comfort mostly as being comfortable without saying how God does it. Most of the examples describe ways He brings in something good that removes or replaces the distress. I looked up comfort and found that the Bible generally does the same, but with one exception. It is in these verses:

I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy. (2 Corinthians 7:4)
When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. (Psalm 94:19)

Both speak of comfort in affliction rather than the affliction being taken away. Paul knew joy, even in his turmoils, as did the psalmist during the many burdens on his heart. God’s joy is a comfort, even when the circumstances do not change.

Another verse brings out the danger of wanting to be comfortable all the time. I could miss what God wants to do in my life with trials.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2–4)

This is not easy but possible. I have a friend who fell, broke both legs and her sternum, spent months in rehabilitation, yet was continually joyful. She was comforted by the Holy Spirit and comforted me with her attitude every time I visited her.

Another danger of wanting continual comfort is that it tends to make us indifferent to the sorrows of others. Someone once said, “I complained about my shoes until I met a man with no feet.”

C. S. Lewis wrote a book about Satan’s activities. He told one of his demons to keep his  prospect comfortable at all costs. If he should become concerned about anything of importance, then demon was to encourage him to think about his luncheon plans; not to worry, it could induce indigestion… “I, the devil, will always see to it that there are bad people. Your job… is to provide me with people who do not care.”

PRAY: Jesus, I’ve noticed in myself that when life is easy, I don’t pray or care for others the same way as I do when life is a challenge. Of the two meanings of comfort, being alleviated of sorrow or distress is desired, yet to be given emotional strength in that sorrow and distress means I will be more apt to honor You and rely on Your deeper water. From this, I am learning to trust Your judgement to do Your will rather than beg You to make my life easy.