October 7 2012 The Choice Of Comfort
/THE CHOICE OF COMFORT
Matthew 5:4 - Happy are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
How To Experience God’s Comfort
1. Realize God is with you.
Psalm 34:18 - The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 121:2-3 - Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth, He will not let your foot slip, He who watches over you will not slumber.
Things I need to remember:
• God is aware.
Job 13:27 - You (God) keep a close watch on all my paths.
• God is sympathetic.
Nahum 1:7 - The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.
• God let’s you talk about your discomfort.
Heb. 4:16 - Let us approach (God) with confidence, so we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
2. Release the hurt.
How?
I must stop focusing on what has been lost,
And start focusing on what’s left.
Options for our hurts:
• You can repress it
• You can rehearse it.
• You can refuse to resent it.
Isaiah 43:18 - Do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing (says the Lord).
Romans 12:19 - Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for He has said He will repay those who deserve it.
Psalm 10 - Victim’s Psalm
3. Rely on God’s resources for comfort.
Three Comforters:
• God’s Word.
Psalm 119:25, 52 - I am completely discouraged. Revive me by your Word. Your Word has been my comfort.
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.
• God’s people.
II Cor. 1:3-4 - The God of all comfort comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
• God’s Spirit is a comfort.
Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you will all joy, that by the power of the Holy Spirit your whole life and outlook may be radiant with hope.
Revelation 21:4 - He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
