Miserable Comfort

We all seek comfort, don’t we?  It’s that great feeling we get when we’re surrounded by people who love and accept us. Comfort can be described as the “warm fuzzies” we get when we wrap up in our favorite blanket on a cold winter’s night.  Desiring comfort comes as natural to us as breathing; however, there is a flip side to seeking comfort.  As the old adage goes, “Too much of anything can be harmful”.  Yes, even seeking comfort, as natural as this is, can be harmful.

At what point does comfort become harmful and even sinful?  When we seek it, or anything else, before we seek God.

Let’s take a look at Hebrews 12:2 KJV, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Does the cross bring thoughts of comfort to you or thoughts of mental/emotional discomfort, also known as misery?

If you are a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, it should bring forth both: thoughts of misery and comfort, for without the shedding of Jesus Christ’s blood on the cross, there is no remission of sins. (See Hebrews 9:22 KJV).

Although, the cross was used an an instrument of cruelty to bring severe torture and death to those afflicted by it, the cross brings along with it the message of hope and good news to the Christian.  Jesus Christ chose his Father’s will over his own personal comfort and became the propitiation for our sins for the joy that was set before him. Hebrews 12:2 KJV.

How about you?  Are you willing to forfeit comfort and take up your cross and follow Him for the joy that is set before you?  Jesus spoke in Luke 9:23 KJB, “ And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”  Will you?