Daily Bible Reading Plans to help you read and understand God’s Word

Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:4, Isaiah 66:12-14, Lamentations 3:55-57, John 11:17-44, John 16:20-22, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Many of us in the West live in a comfort-centered culture. Whether it’s app-adjusted thermostats, delivery of anything, anytime, or the endless entertainment options always available, we have more comforts than any society before us could fathom.

And yet, we are more uncomfortable than any people or moment in history. Stats say we are lonely, anxious, depressed, and distracted. So what’s wrong with us? 

Why can’t we be comforted? Maybe it’s because we’re looking for our consolation in places where it can’t be found. When I’m in a difficult season, I try to drown out my suffering with distractions like a podcast, a show, or a book, and it works; even chocolate takes the edge off—at least for a while. Can you relate? But how long do we feel better...a few minutes or hours perhaps? These distractions temporarily numb the pain, but they don’t help us honestly face our suffering or invite us to carry it to the One who brings true, lasting comfort.

These major truths strike me from these passages: For Christians, suffering is to be expected, and we’re called to mourn it, to lament it—not by ourselves but before the Lord who loves us most. And He, in turn, promises His comfort. 

In Isaiah 66, we read about Israel’s darkest days, which God allowed because of their sin. And yet He still promised them His comfort (Isaiah 66:13). Similarly, the author of Lamentations was witnessing Israel’s exile, and he called on God who came near to comfort him (Lamentations 3:57). 

In John 16, Jesus was speaking just a day before His death. Though He was suffering, He promised the coming comfort that was available to the disciples—and is available to us—the comfort of His Holy Spirit.

Even as Paul suffered, he praised God “who comforts us in all affliction,” so that we can comfort others who are facing trials with His comfort (2Corinthians 1:3–5). This reminds me that God’s comfort is often not a generally warm feeling but a precise comfort we each need; it strengthens us and gives us hope to strengthen others. And it leads us to rejoice: “You will see, you will rejoice” (Isaiah 66:14). And as Jesus says, “You also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you” (John 16:22).  

Our comfort will come through lamenting our suffering to the Lord and asking Him to come near. And by the power of the Spirit, He will. The Spirit will also help us be moved by the powerful love of Jesus, who endured the worst suffering so that we could be with Him. He will comfort us, until the day our eyes see Him face to face.

Written by Ginny Owens