Finding Comfort

Anita Delene Manthe
May 24, 2017
2 min read

When nothing in life makes sense and we’re confronted with a multifaceted trial that weighs us down, we can easily become discouraged. Discouragement unchecked can lead to self-inflicted hurts – we’re in the middle of it all – it’s all about us – we see no way out. Furthermore, it can and often does lead to depression and misery. When this occurs we are left weak and open to further failing. Weakness is a real threat which encourages forgetfulness – we forget we belong to Christ – we are His. And we neglect to remain vigilant and hold fast to a resolve to stand firm. It’s like living in a dense fog – we lose sight of anything other than our immediate surroundings and the circumstances perceived as an immediate or an ongoing threat. When it’s tough we may not see a way through and out of the fog. When this is true, and for many of us it is, the Lord has left us in a difficult situation - and discouragement lies waiting to overwhelm us.

When overwhelmed, the fog we find ourselves in presses down threatening to crush us. When we experience this how are we to endure? When we can’t see our way through, how are we to keep on walking?

The answer is as hard and difficult, or as simple and possible as we want it to be.

We need to rise above our circumstances. We need to step aside from our perceived reality and consider absolute reality. This means rising above the fog, where the air is clearer and we can see – for a long, long distance.

Our endurance depends on how far we can see. What we’re looking at, and focusing on. In these seasons we are to rise up and look down on the fog. The fog will most probably remain, but in looking down we are choosing to view our circumstances from the Lord’s perspective. He can leave us in the fog but in looking down we can gain perspective. Our multifaceted trial then becomes one we can walk through.

When we choose His perspective we will be empowered to endure.

This is my comfort in my affliction; for Your Word has given me life (Psalm 119:50).
For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant (Psalm 143:11-12).
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed (Hebrews 12:11-13).
I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word (Psalm 119:107).
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD (Psalm 27:13-14