Consolation

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy” (Psalm 94:19).

def. Consolation. the comfort received by a person after a loss or a disappointment.

I remember being a little girl, full of worry, hoping the best for my parents, the best for our family. Though I felt small and powerless to create change, I often assume a feeling of blame for the problems that existed. (Why? Because the enemy is a liar and tries to deceive us.)

But, greater than that, and far more powerful was the presence of of God — the presence of His Holy Spirit that comforted me from a very young age. I knew He was always with me. I would talk to Him, and I knew He was ministering to me, speaking to my heart. He was – and remains to this day – my best friend.

When alone and scared, I have often felt as though a big, safe dad was holding me. The Lord is intentional in His friendship, in His presence, and in comforting us.

All throughout His Word, He reminds us of His intentionality in comforting and consoling us in our pain and disappointment:

“The lowly He sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety” (Job 5:11).

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:13-14).

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

“¹May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

As hard as we try to shield our children from discouragement and pain in life, we may not always be successful. Yet, the best thing we can do for our children is introduce them to Jesus and nurture them in their personal relationship with Him.

Of all the gifts and opportunities my parents gave me, I’m most thankful for their gift of feeding and nurturing my faith — for every Sunday school service, church service, prayer service, and youth group meeting they took me to.

After all, parents, try as we might, we are not strong enough, wise enough, or present enough to be all that they need. Circumstances come and go; and, one day, we will go too; but the presence of the Lord never leaves us…. never leaves them. He always comforts and keeps watch on our children all of their lives. He is like a strong tower that they can run to and be safe.

I pray that the Holy Spirit comforts you, comforts us, and comforts our children, through this difficult time. And I pray that they learn so much more about the Lord’s presence, and a friendship with Jesus, through this. May our heritage be faith in and friendship with the Lord for generations to come, in Jesus’ Name.