by Kala Loptien

Finding Comfort

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this Sound Cloud link. 

God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 ESV

This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. Psalm 119:50 ESV

My sweet little nephew has a tiny buddy he runs to for comfort. It’s green, soft and aptly-named: “Dino.” For the most part, he’s there at bedtime. But if something upsetting occurs or when an illness strikes, Dino provides a sense of security and comfort. Let’s be honest. We probably can all recall with vivid detail that one item we had as youngsters (I won’t divulge how long I had mine).

When we are little, we become accustomed to how that safety item calms our nerves and soothes our heart. As we get older and outgrow them, we start to recognize and understand a more profound, continued need for security. What we need is to feel safe, loved and reassured. A lot of us were/are blessed with a loving home and a family that ensured our needs were met…and still do. For a lot of others, childhood was robbed by trauma, fear, poverty, broken families and constant transition. The reality of our humanness is that we are all broken and we are all temporal. We simply cannot expect or require to have that need filled by people (as much as we may want that to be the case).

As for other things of this world, we know (perhaps by experience) that they fall shockingly short, disappoint or can even cause harm. As Believers, we know without a doubt where our soul finds true peace and rest. When we feel uneasy, under attack or uncertain of the future, we find hope and blessed assurance in the pages of the living Word. When we worship and pray, we feel His presence. Through our faith communities, God provides the extension of Himself in people who will rejoice when we rejoice and weep when we weep. There’s no better assurance than that. May we never stop running and seeking our Heavenly Father for that comfort, guidance, restoration and security our hearts so deeply desire.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado