Aday after my birthday, I had an unpleasant experience. The previous year, the birthday was the exact day for the unpleasant experience. Somewhere in my mind, I had that “well, I kinda was expecting it” thought, about this year’s not so good experience. Trust me, this is very much nothing about negative cycles, and I was in my feelings when I had that thought. So…. This unpleasant experience isn’t one of those ones that could be undone, I’m not even exaggerating. Well, unless you have a time-travel machine of some sort.

I’ll give you a hint. It has something to do with losing memories and now, irreplaceable files and discussions. Ring a bell?

I cried. About this experience I had. I mean, I didn’t plan my day to go that way. I ought to be revelling in the euphoria of a new year; particularly because the previous year was a good one, with changes in areas I had truly desired. So, I actually cried. Quite some thick tears. Sincere tears if you may. But some things now stand out whenever I look back on that particular day. Some of the original thoughts and other ones that ministered to me afterwards are the things I’d be sharing. I hope it blesses your heart.

I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me — Psalms 142: 1–3a KJV

I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. — Psalms 3: 4

1. I sought comfort.

I got so overwhelmed within me that I began to cry. I didn’t even think I had it in me to cry that much. I don’t know if anyone has ever been in that situation where your reaction to things shocks you so much that it feels like you’re watching yourself from outside your body. In that moment of overwhelming emotions, I summoned strength and sought comfort in God. I kept asking for help as I lay on the floor crying, my emotions got welled up and it seemed like the time I even cried more, but I stayed there. As ironic as it may sound, I enjoyed sharing that beautiful moment of pain with the Lord. It seemed like a precious and intimate moment that no one else should have witnessed really.

I was really surprised at that moment as I kind of watched myself cry. It was just a technical glitch, God wasn’t going to fix it because he doesn’t relate with phones and gadgets, but asking for help and strength at that moment was just enough. I stood up from that spot lighter than I was initially. There are things that only God can truly do. My chest was still contracting from hurting, but there was peace and I loved it. Afterwards, I sought encouragement from the brethren, and it was easy to embrace it because the actual comfort I needed had been received. This leads me to my second point.

2. Seeking comfort from the Lord will require sincerity and vulnerability.

David proves this in some of his writings in the book of Psalms. I sincerely wonder how he was able to put his specific emotions into words. Being sincere really just helps you pour out your heart. It’s no longer a strange term at the Tribe, the idea of sincerity. It also shouldn’t be news that God is interested in the minutest detail about our lives, but we will have to be sincere and vulnerable with him, so we can receive the fullness of that comfort. This part involves our emotions. Pastor had mentioned on Thursday, during the June edition of physical Bible study that emotions aren’t to be tossed aside. They are there to be felt and experienced and God doesn’t think any less of you when you express them. He’s a good father and he’ll find joy in your sharing that moment with Him. Receiving God’s comfort isn’t complete if you won’t be emotional with him.

3. Something else on being comforted.

I learnt from that experience that receiving the Lord’s comfort is so powerful, something to be sought after. It reiterates what Pastor Dami also preached at one of the instalments of Lessons from Elijah that God’s word should be enough encouragement for us. He will send His word and as ‘this is not what I need at the moment’ as it may seem, it’s been proven in the scriptures that God’s word is always a timely comfort. The Holy Spirit also brought to mind the scripture from 2 Corinthians 1:4. We are only able to comfort others to the degree that we receive comfort from God. The comfort I can receive from God’s word today helps me be a source of encouragement to someone else later. It also reminds me how that it engenders taking up more responsibility, with regard to discipleship and leadership. If I don’t seek the Lord for comfort now, how am I able to encourage another to find comfort in the lord? It doesn’t have to be a life-or-death issue, we just have to be able to seek comfort from the Lord, albeit ‘little’ and ‘insignificant’ the challenge.

I believe that God always wants us to experience that feeling of being enveloped by His presence, as He brings us comfort. I believe that He does this for things that can be changed, turned around, repaired, healed, for opportunities and sincere desires that we’ve cried out to Him for. He also brings comfort for the ‘mundane’ things that only hurt or bother us temporarily, reassuring us and providing the strength we need to take the world by storm.

If there’s any encouragement or consolation; “And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:” — Matthew 6: 28. If God clothes the lilies of the field and pander to the needs of the fowls of the air, “…how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” — Romans 8:32.

We have come to understand over the past weeks that God doesn’t give in to every whim and desire, especially if it doesn’t cause men to be saved, or align with his will. Being comforted by the Lord is His will, receive God’s comfort today.

No mountain is too high or lofty, ALL power belongs to God and by Him and through Him all things consist; Hebrews 1:3. This same God is able to comfort you, now and always.

As you go about this week, have this at the back of your mind. Let no situation cause its potency to be diluted. The Holy Spirit is the best comforter there has, will be and will always be. Be encouraged by these words.

Have a productive week ahead

Cheers!

Jumoke Olafimihan

IG: @jt_olafimihan