The other day we were at a firework show. The minute the first boom happened Lincoln (my 11-month-old) was terrified. He didn’t know what was happening to him or when it would stop. I held him close to me and whispered in his ear. We were outside, so I couldn’t take him away from noise, but I could comfort him. That was all he needed. As soon as he knew that he wasn’t alone, and that someone who loved him was holding him, he was calm and quiet. Occasionally he would start to get a little nervous, but I would whisper to him that he was ok and could feel him relax again. See, I didn’t change anything about the circumstances around him, but I was with him. I held him. I comforted him. I cared about him. Can you guess where I’m going with this? Maybe you’re in the middle of something scary. Maybe although you’d rather be taken out of the situation… you’d settle for some comfort in the midst. The Bible tells us that the Lord himself goes before us. That he will never leave us nor forsake us. That we should not be afraid or discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31:8) That the Lord will be with us wherever we go. (Joshua 1:9) That even though we walk through the darkest valley, his rod and his staff will comfort us. (Psalm 23:4) That the Lord is a refuge for the opposed, a stronghold in times of trouble (Psalm 9:9). We are never alone if we are in Christ. We will face scary situations, but our God is stronger. He will comfort us for as long as we need him to. I believe that sometimes God sends comfort in the way of people. Maybe you’re not in the middle of a storm, and you’re able to provide comfort to a friend who is. Ask God to show you who needs comfort and don’t ignore when he does. You never know the impact you’ll make just by lending a listening ear and a caring heart.
So the next time you hear the boom of a firework that disrupts your life… reach for the comfort of your Father who loves you. He will hold you tight, whisper in your ear, and give you what and who you need to get through it. Allow yourself to feel the comfort he provides both through his word, and the friends he sends.
The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1
