If you’re anything like me, you’ve experienced some level of anxiety these past 18 months and comfort has been much needed. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t had to battle fear, uncertainty and apprehension in some way, shape or form on a rather continual basis. The best way I know to overcome unwelcome emotions is to turn to the Word in search of comfort. Let’s look at one of my favorite verses in the Bible and one I pull out often to lean on. It’s found in Psalm 94.
“When I said, My foot is slipping, Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, held me up. In the multitude of my [anxious] thoughts within me, Your comforts cheer and delight my soul!” Psalm 94:18-19 AMPC
When I get overwhelmed, my thoughts begin to race and it can feel like my foot is slipping. It is right in that moment when I’m reminded by the Holy Spirit to call upon the Lord. I ask Him to hold me up so I don’t lose my footing. I confess that I have a multitude of anxious thoughts swirling within and I ask for His comfort to come cheer me up. Psalm 40 says that Jesus lifts us from the miry clay and sets our feet upon a rock. I don’t know about you but I need Him to do this often for me, especially these days.
Defining Comfort.
Merriam-Webster defines comfort as:
(v)
- 1: to give strength and hope to : CHEER;
- 2: to ease the grief or trouble of : CONSOLE
(n)
- 1: strengthening aid: ASSISTANCE, SUPPORT, SOLACE;
- 2: a feeling of relief or encouragement, contented well-being;
- 3: a satisfying or enjoyable experience;
- 4: one that gives or brings comfort
The Blue Letter Bible app & website is another wonderful tool for peering more deeply into Scripture. The interlinear concordance allows you to look at Hebrew and Greek words, their definitions and their roots. It says the phrase “Your comforts” comes from the Hebrew word tanḥûmôṯ (H8575) meaning consolation and comfort.
What are His comforts?
The above verse got me thinking. What are His comforts? The verse clearly says, “YOUR comforts cheer and delight my soul.” I began to think about the things that cheer and delight me. (See my Daily Delights post here.) I find that one of the most consoling things in life is enjoying a good homecooked meal at the table with loved ones.
If I head to the kitchen, pull out a favorite recipe and begin cooking, it seems like the cares of life fall away. The smells that come from a good recipe in action are consoling. The practical steps of prepping, chopping ingredients and bringing a meal to life are just what I need to get my brain to switch from it’s emotional side to it’s anatlytical side and snap me out of a spiral.
At the table.
There are countless stories in the Bible where deeply relational and significant things happen at the table or center around a meal. I’m reminded that, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.” Psalm 23:5 AMPC
When my offering is hot and ready and we gather at the table, the dearest and most sincere times of the day are enjoyed. There’s usually laughter and always connection. The kind that feeds my soul. I remember the good things, I’m cheered by the company and I find there’s nothing quite like going from an empty tummy and a troubled spirit to a full belly and a comforted heart.
Totally Doable Tips (TDT’s):
If you find you have a “multitude of anxious thoughts within you”:
- Cry out to Jesus and ask for His help. He stands ever ready to help you and He knows what you need before you ask.
- Try memorizing Psalm 94:18-19 and repeat it often when anxiety comes knocking. You can pray the scripture as well. Ask Him to hold you up, confess your anxiety and ask for His comfort to come.
- Have a few of your favorite recipes on hand that you can pull out at a moment’s notice and get cracking in the kitchen. The aromatherapy alone will be worth it!
- Plan special meals with loved ones ahead of time so you have something to look forward to. Or try a spontaneous and impromptu gathering! When we feel connected to others we find strength for our own journey. We all are refreshed when we gather and enjoy good food together.
- Read the Psalms regularly. An easy plan for reading the Psalms is to follow this pattern: On the first day of the month, read Psalm 1, 31, 61, 91, and 121. On the second day of the month read Psalm 2, 32, 62, 92 and 122 and so on. By the end of the month you’ll have completed the whole book of Psalms! I guarantee you’ll find some treasures that you can jot down in your journal to refer back to when needed.
One last thought.
I encourage you to gather with loved ones and enjoy a good meal. Allow yourself to be cheered by the company and connection. Open the Bible and read the Psalms together. A few from this post are Psalm 23, Psalm 40 and Psalm 94. The Bible is pastureland for our souls and wonderful feeding ground to find comfort and cheer amidst the storms of life. Song of Solomon 2:16 says He feeds us among the lilies. We can turn to His Word to find comfort food for the soul and we can utilize one of His greatest resources of comfort by gathering around the table and connecting with loved ones over our favorite meals.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NIV
With love,
Kim♥
Excellent, Kim. What a blessing and gift!