Where do you find comfort?

Where do you find comfort? 

Comfort comes in many forms.From the moment we are born we look for comfort, from our mothers, pacifiers, thumbs, “blankies”, the list could go on. In fact science has shown that comfort is released in the human brain as dopamine. Too much dopamine and an addictive personality is born. People with addictive personalities are usually obvious in their addiction to food, tobacco, sex, alcohol, marijuana, gambling, pornography, video games, overspending and even sports. Some of these addictions as the world knows can be more debilitating than others, but many people struggle with these addictions.

Before my personal encounter with Christ, I was addicted to alcohol, cigarettes, sex, and before long, my life was soon spiraling out of my control. I remember a non-Christian friend of mine recommending God to me. 

That’s when I knew I needed to turn to God once and for all. And so I did, I confessed my sins to my youth pastor at age 17 and was soon after baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. 

I genuinely felt a freedom to live life without the desire to get wasted and abuse my body. But after a while, I got bored and began to fall back into the old habits that I had been set free from. I struggled for many years actually going back and forth with God like a pendulum swinging out of control. I longed for God but was tied up with my addictions that had taken me over once more. What I failed to realize for so long is that my comfort must be found in God. Jesus specifically told his disciples that we had to wait for him to send the comforter. 

The Holy Spirit brings us the comfort that we need and opens our eyes to the truth. Everything else we may think we need we really don’t. It’s an addiction, a reliance on comfort from things that only bring a moment’s pleasure.  God wants to set people free of their addictions, and the only way to do that is through relying on Him. 

First, you must recognize that you have a problem: sin. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) We all have a sin issue in our lives and it flares up in different ways. Your struggles may not be as socially unacceptable as mine were. It could be gossip or jealousy. It could be pride. Whatever is keeping you from God is keeping you from God.When we come to God and confess to Him our sins and repent. That means we decide we are going to turn away from our sins and believe He has the power to help us. When we believe that Jesus His son died on the cross to forgive our sins, we will walk in true freedom. 

“For whom the Son has set free, is free indeed “(John 8:36). Jesus is the way to freedom. Jesus is the way to God’s heart. Jesus is the way to true comfort that lasts. 

I have noticed recently that the old me (the way I used to think and act) every now and then likes to rear its ugly head in my life. And that is when I remind myself that God has set me free from all sin, big and small. 

I no longer have to live addicted to anything. Not even coffee. But I will admit it is a daily thing. A daily reminder is needed. “Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2)Ask God to renew your mind daily by His word and by His Holy Spirit. 

You see, before Christ came into this world, true comfort was unattainable. King Solomon the wisest man to live before Jesus said, "Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed-- and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors-- and they have no comforter.” (Ecclesiastes 4:1) But before Jesus left this earth, he promised his followers the comforter, The Holy Spirit! “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.” (John 15:26-27)Other versions call the comforter, the counselor or advocate. See the Holy Spirit is the best counselor out there and is there for all who have put their belief in Christ. He is available and willing to set you free from all sin and all addiction. When we put our belief and trust in Jesus Christ, he sends us the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. 

Now don’t forget we also need other believers in our lives. We can’t just go out on our own and be misled by our own thoughts and feelings. God gives us a new family in Christ and leaders to help us better understand scripture as well. As you submit to the authority of Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit, He will guide you into all truth. “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” (John 16:13)

We have access to God through Christ. We have access to truth and comfort through the Holy Spirit, which can only be attained through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the key to receiving the Holy Spirit. 

You must only believe in your heart and confess it with your mouth out loud. Maybe you want to believe, but it seems so far-fetched. Ask God to help you overcome your unbelief. 

Pray now, and here’s something you can pray if you can’t find the words- 

Heavenly Father, I want to believe in your son Jesus. I want to be set free from my sins, from my addictions. Please help me to believe in you. Help me to believe that you are real and able to set me free. Please send people in my life to help guide me to you. I need you Jesus. I need your help. Please send your Holy Spirit to me to set me free and guide me to you. May my blind eyes be open to your truth. I want to walk in freedom & unity with you beginning right now. Please have mercy on me Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to me. 

Remember, believe in Christ. Ask him to set you free by the power of His Spirit. And seek God daily in the Bible and ask him to fill you daily with His spirit. Then you will walk in true freedom! 

May God bless you both now and forevermore!