I’ve known the Lord to be both a comforter and a challenger. He provides comfort and reassurance in my dark places. Then He somehow restores me to a place of functioning and eventually thriving.
BUT I’ve also known Him as my ultimate Challenger. He challenges me beyond my capacity. He CONVICTS me of my sin and He corrects me. Then on top of all that He challenges me to grow, change, and walk differently…it’s a lot.
I like it when it’s easy. I don’t when it’s not. Well I guess you don’t need comfort if you haven’t been challenged…think about it.
Food for Thought
When Jesus left earth-side, He did not leave us without help. In His love, He left His Spirit. His Spirit lives in all who proclaim Jesus as Lord and that is such good news! Especially for those of us who find ourselves in need of help.
“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever— the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you. “I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, bereaved, and helpless]; I will come [back] to you.”
John 14:16-18 AMP
“For the Lord disciplines and corrects those whom He loves, And He punishes every son whom He receives and welcomes [to His heart].”
Hebrews 12:6 AMP
Storytime
Recently, November to be specific, I was complaining to the Lord about how I felt when I was around certain people. I did not feel welcome, seen, or acknowledged.
If you know me, you may know why this bothered me. In a past life, I was the lead “Welcomer” lol. During that time, I tried my best to meet people with love and I trained my team to do the same. Shoot when I wrote here consistently, I closed with “Big Hugs”. So you get the vibes…when I’m at my best, I see people, love them, and try my best to make sure they KNOW they belong.
Well, the Lord met me in my circumstance and challenged me. In the midst of my gripes, He said, “Welcome them.”
Welcome them?! Huh?! I was shook. And my flesh immediately rebelled. How could I even do that?! I was the new girl. What would I look like welcoming people when it’s THEIR space not mine?
Yet, “Welcome them” still resonated in my spirit. I didn’t fully understand what it meant but I was like, “Ok Lord. The next time I will take it upon myself to welcome them. 😒”
A couple of weeks elapsed, I went to a Wednesday night service and left…convicted. I asked the Lord, if there was something in my heart that was not right, that He would change it. I asked that He would create in me a clean heart and renew in me a loyal and right spirit. At that point, I felt another nudge like He wanted me to DO something. I was receptive but I wasn’t exactly sure what I needed to do or the people it would involve.
A couple of weeks after that the Lord had me host an event. In my mind, the event was completely unrelated to the initial word the Lord gave me. However, as I coordinated the event, the Holy Spirit prompted me that this was one of the opportunities I would have to quite literally “welcome them”. Welcome people into my home, my space, my heart…
He brought it all full circle as He tends to do.
Takeaway
Here’s the deal…though I see God as Challenger. In my challenging circumstances, I’ve also been able to run to Him for comfort. My challenge and my comfort often comes from the same source.
Do you remember being a child and being disciplined or corrected by your parents? It hurt, it stung, but when you needed comfort and reassurance, who did you usually run to?
Most of us ran right back to our parents. Instinctively, children know who to run to in their time of trouble even if the “trouble” or discomfort came from their “comforter”.
And I hope that encourages you.
If you feel the Lord’s hand pressing you in this season, do not attempt to run away from Him. Run to Him. He will help you with what He has set before you.
Whatever “it” is…is not impossible…so long as you have Him by your side. Ok 🤗
Here come the hugs again…but…
Big hugs & happy holidays,
Ayanna