We all need comfort sometimes, no doubt about that. The issue is what way is acceptable to go about it. We have known people who turn to overeating as a means to comfort. This is fraught with two dangers. Firstly, too much food will render people useless to themselves and others. When as a result of much eating someone becomes morbidly obese, he or she is useless. Secondly, those who watch themselves descend to this abyss become a burden to others. They must depend on loved ones to provide for all their needs and also take care of associated illnesses. Whatever ends up destroying you cannot be an acceptable consolation – be it food, drug, or sex. You must resolve that your comfort will not be a source of misery for others, particularly your loved ones.
“The Holy Spirit’s strong comfort cushioned the effects of the persecution.”
There are at least three sources of comfort we can turn to, and they do not have side effects. One, you have the comfort of scriptures. There is no situation in life that there isn’t a fitting word of the Lord to take care of it. Two, you have the comfort from the hope of the Lord’s coming. When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he admonished them not to sorrow unduly concerning believers who died. He would rather have them comfort one another with the news of Christ’s imminent return which will make for reunion with the saints who have departed. Finally, our text points to the Holy Spirit as another source of comfort. Despite the persecution that hit the early church, they kept waxing strong, growing in leaps and bounds. The Holy Spirit’s strong comfort cushioned the effects of the persecution.