God's Word is Comforting

I just wasted 2.5 hours of my life, tossing and turning in bed, worrying about how I am going to fix our house. Leaking sink, ruined floors, ductwork, electrical…I couldn’t get it out of my head. I knew I needed to be sleeping. I had stayed up much later than is good for me. I need to get a lot done at work as well and I can’t function on 4 hours of sleep. I knew I needed to refocus on God. I started about 7 prayers during that 2.5 hours, and they all found their end in a wondering mind delved in house fixes. Finally, I asked forgiveness for my lack of focus, lack of trust, and asked God, “How can I not get distracted?” He answered pretty quick, “Read my Word.”

So at 5:30am, I got up, grabbed my Bible and a pen, and went to eat some breakfast.

There is something truly remarkable about the power of God’s word. It focused me immediately on God’s promises, Christ’s work, and how it applies to my life. I turned to Mark and just started looking over the headings, all stories I’ve read before, but it was powerful to see them written down. God recorded these events to help me, right now. I read the heading: The Request of James and John, and I think, “Wow. Those guys were pretty audacious, and way off base.” Then I turn to eat a spoon full of cereal, and I realize that I am not worthy to receive this food from God. I’m hungry, He feeds me, and I usually take it for granted. But now I see God, my loving Father, handing me, his audacious child, some food, because He knows I need it and He cares for me.

I read through that section again, and was struck again at how Jesus was a servant to all. And Jesus says it so clearly, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” - Mark 10:45 

I knew the section about Do Not Worry. I was trying to tell myself the gist of it as I was tossing and turning in bed. But now I was equipped with God’s Word and His Spirit, so I turned to Matthew 6:25. It’s blatantly obvious to me now, after rereading this section, that God’s kingdom is what’s important and the work God gives us is to be done faithfully, to the best of our ability, and he will make sure we have all the tools we need. (we usually call them blessings) But more importantly, I have peace. My God gives me what I need.

My children have a pillow from a VBS years ago that reads, “God’s Word is Comforting”. Isn’t that the truth!

When the world distracts you, run to God’s Word.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” - John 14:27