Comfort

2 Corinthians 1:3-11
"Praise be to the God of all comfort"

What is significant about comfort?
When you are comfortable, you are in a stage of complete rest. You are comfortable where there exists an absence of worry and a presence of peace. Comfort for most people is found at "home", however that "home" may be defined.

Comfort can also be a dangerous thing; it can lead us to eternal sleep, a perpetual nap if you will. When comfortable, we desire not to get up, to move, to act. Comfort can be a trap.

Maybe our concept of comfort has taken a wrong turn along the road.
If God is comfort that means he is constantly comforting, providing a comfortable space all the time. 
The same Corinthians passage that praises God for being our comfort, rejoices in sharing Christ's sufferings. For without trouble, where does comfort's value lie?
"If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer."

So, comfort is meant to produce patient endurance.  Yes, endurance means you remain where you are, but not in the same sense as being too comfortable to get out of bed. Rather, you are provided the wherewithal, the devoted spirit to remain faithful despite the amount of distress you endure.You choose to remain because although the outward atmosphere produces trials, your comfort is not based on this material world. No down feather pillows, warm cups of tea or yankee candles can provide you the significant, transcendent, abundant comfort that He willingly imparts on our souls.


Comfort is the gateway to joy. Rest in Him.