Comfort requires facing what wounds you in the presence of the One who heals you.
“Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 NIV.
There are many experiences in life that cause pain, and emotional pain causes grief. There are many layers to the emotion of grief, but one of those seems to be regret – regret for things that never were or once were but will not be again, or for things done or left undone. It is an emotional or psychological hurt that refuses to be healed, until you bring yourself to “the Father of all mercies and God of all comfort . .” 2 Corinthians 1:3 NKJV.
As with most things, Jesus turns our assumptions upside down, or more accurately, right side up. At the beginning of His ministry, Jesus established the foundational truths of His Kingdom. See Matthew 4:23-5:10. Those fundamental truths are called the Beatitudes, meaning “supreme blessedness.” In those, Jesus assessed our common struggles and presented unforeseen solutions found only in the truths of His Kingdom. As with most of our assumptions, His conclusions are not as might be expected, but more glorious than can scarcely be believed.
Jesus gives a promise to the inconsolable, “Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 NIV. We love the promise; we dislike the process. In pain, whatever its origin, you will just want relief; you want to feel better, to stop hurting. Jesus doesn’t mask the pain; He replaces the pain with His own comfort, as no other can. God’s comfort requires, “facing what wounds you in the presence of the only One who can heal you.” Don’t bury your pain inside; bring your pain to Jesus and discover God’s healing comfort. You have His personal invitation, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest . . for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-30 NIV.
Mourning is a stubborn pain that refuses to be comforted, yet Jesus promises that elusive comfort of heart and soul will be yours. “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NKJV. When you have received God’s comfort, comfort others. Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 NKJV.
And to whom is this promise given? Jesus said it is for the “poor in spirit.” Jesus describes that person as one who recognizes their inability – their abject poverty in the face of theirs or another’s vast need. “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 5:3. Until you admit you cannot, you will not know the power and provision of the only One who can – “Who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20.
The ample providence of the Kingdom of God is yours; your most extensive need can be met by His immeasurable riches. From personal experience (2 Corinthians 1:8-10 NIV), Paul testifies to the plentiful sufficiency of God, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NKJV.
My prayer for you today is that you will find the healing comfort of God sufficient.