Comfort in Every Condition

One amazing thing about God is the fact that he meets all people where they are. He knows what each person needs individually and he knows how to meet their needs. He has different names and attributes that can comfort any person in any situation.

William Bridge, in his book “A Lifting Up for the Downcast”, says it like this: “Are you accused by Satan, the world, or your own conscience? Christ is called your Advocate. Are you ignorant? He is called the Prophet. Are you guilty of sin? He is called a Priest, a High Priest. Are you afflicted with many enemies, inward and outward? He is called a King, and King of kings. Are you in straits? He is called your way. Are you hungry or thirsty? He is called Bread and Water of Life. Are you afraid you shall fall away, and be condemned at the last? He is our second Adam, a public person, in whose death we died, and in whose satisfaction we satisfied justice. As there is no temptation or affliction, but some promise or other especially suits it: so there is no condition, but some name, some title, some attribute of Christ especially suits it.”

So often, when we are discouraged or downcast, it is because we focus on our conditions and circumstances instead of that which does not change, namely Christ and his promises. We never want to pretend that hard times don’t exist, that simply isn’t true; but we do want to cling to what does not sway with our ever-changing conditions. If Christ is unmovable, if he is unchangeable, if he is the same yesterday, today and forever (as Scripture says in Hebrews 13:8), then he is the rock we must build our lives upon. We must not build upon the sand, which shifts with the tides.

When you find yourself discouraged, remind yourself that you have no need to be, for Jesus is our all in all, our everything in every situation.

As the Puritan said, there is a name, an attribute of God for any condition you find yourself in that will give you comfort and peace. Do not be content in your discouragement, but seek out the encouragement God has for you in that time.