Spiritual warfare is not one of my favorite topics. I think that some people classify their poor choices as spiritual warfare, and I also think that sometimes people are so busy looking for demons around every corner that they take their eyes off of God and how real and big and amazing He is. Anytime the enemy gets more attention than God, something is out of balance.
However, spiritual warfare is real. What I have gone through in the last two years with a health crisis that landed me in the hospital for eight months, and what my family is going through now with my mom’s Alzheimer’s disease, is proof that we live in a fallen world and the enemy doesn’t play fair.
But Jesus did not promise us an easy life. In fact, He said the opposite.
John 15:33 (MSG) “I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”
Jesus told us we would have troubles in this world. He didn’t really sugarcoat it. But in the midst of that, He told us where to turn, to Him. He is our strong tower, our refuge, our strength. He is where we find peace.
Psalms 46:1 (NLT) “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”
The truth is, if you are going to truly live your life for God and advance His kingdom, the opposing kingdom of darkness will not like you. But there are so many amazing promises in the Bible from a good Father about how He will be with you every step of the way.
2 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT) “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”
I love this scripture. I think back on my hospital stay and how sick I was, and I am so thankful for the numerous people who were praying for me. The hospital workers and caregivers who would tell me they were praying for me. The friends who would text my husband and check on me, and also ask how he was doing. The friends and family who would check in on our kids.
There were so many ways God provided comfort to me in a truly dark time. But I also like the second part of this scripture. He comforts us so we can turn around and comfort others.
That gift of comfort is not meant to stop with us. It is meant to flow out to other people in their times of need.
I’ve always been pretty open about my faith, but after my hospital stay, I want people to know about the goodness and faithfulness of God. I want people to know that in the darkest period of my life, God comforted me, took care of me, healed me, and saved my life.
There were definitely moments of doubt in those dark days. There were days when I wondered if God was mad at me or if I had taken a wrong turn. But what I experienced most was a God who held me and comforted me.
Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
The Bible is full of promises of comfort. All you need to do is lean into Him.
If you are going through a difficult time, I encourage you to press in to the Lord and allow Him to comfort you. That is the promise of 2 Corinthians 1:4. He wants to comfort us in all of our troubles. He wants to go with us as we experience dark times.
And isn’t that a good and faithful Father? He will never abandon us when we need Him. He loves us more than we can understand. He wants to be on this journey with us. Allow Him into your hurt and pain so He can comfort you. Then, as He does, you can turn around and comfort others.