Begin with two minutes of silence and stillness before God.
I grew up in a traditional Southern Baptist church in sleepy little Magnolia, MS. Many of my experiences there (some positive, some challenging) shaped who I am and the way I lead in my role at Venture today. A well-meaning church member made a comment to me once about a more progressive song we sang in worship – “I didn’t like that song we sang today. It’s one of those 7-Eleven songs. You know, seven words sang eleven times.”
I didn’t have a response to that remark in the moment, but I do believe there’s something to the power of repetition. If you’re keeping track at home, the word “comfort” appears ten times within the nine verses of today’s passage. When something shows up that often, I’m inclined to pay attention to it!
When Paul references “comfort,” it’s not the comfort that probably comes to mind for you and me. It’s not the sweatpants I put on on Friday afternoons and don’t change out of until Sunday mornings. It’s not my comfort zone, a place where I love to dwell, but where I will never really grow. In this passage, “comfort” refers to the overall disposition that comes from resting in God’s sovereign and loving rule.
Paul had a better experience with afflictions than anyone. He says that at one point, things were so bad, it felt like he was just waiting for death. But what he gained from that experience was true comfort and an understanding of real hope.
My study Bible describes biblical hope not as wishful thinking – but rather as “total confidence in God’s promises for the future based on His faithfulness in the past.” In other words, hope is grounded and anchored because it’s based on evidence. It’s not a shot in the dark, but an assurance – a promise. And comfort is a state of trusting that God will keep His promises.
So, when we face afflictions of our own, whether they be circumstances or states of mind, may we trust in the promise of our God who raises the dead. May our hope lead to comfort, and may our comfort lead to joy.
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.