Comfort

When you hear or read the word "comfort" what comes to mind? Comfort from this heat? Comfort when you are struggling? Comfort when you are hurting? Comfort when all bills are paid and there might be a little left over? Comfort from some high heels that are just too adorable to not wear? Comfort after a long day with all that life has thrown at you? That is one word that God has been echoing back at me for a few weeks now. What is true comfort? I believe it is what God gives us when we release everything we hold in our hands, in our hearts, and in our minds that we want to control. We, as women, love security and too often we think we need to control situations in order to feel secure and feel comfortable. Two weeks ago Bro. Daven preached on the Church at Smyrna and how God knew their struggles; an intimate knowledge of their struggles. They were told there was an expiration date for those struggles and there IS an expiration date for OUR struggles. Then yesterday Russell taught on II Corintians 1 about comfort; how we are comforted and we are to comfort others. THEN Billy preached yesterday about the disciples trying to ride out a storm in the boat. Jesus was there with them through the entire storm; he walked on the water in the midst of the storm. When Peter stepped out to walk on the water (IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORM) it wasn't until he took his eyes off Jesus that he began to sink in the storm. The Bible is full of symbolism (my favorite part of English Lit) and these are all wonderful examples of how we need to let go of everything in our hands, our hearts, and in our minds and let God handle it. He knows what He is doing. Let Go and Let God! He will be right there with you and will give you comfort during those trials and storms. I just finished another book by Karen Kingsbury "Take One" and it kept referring to a verse that I have come to hold onto lately. James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Count it all joy, my sisters.
One last reminder - Sweet Life Cafe'...don't forget to sign up. I have got to have a head count prior to the 20th!! Spread the word! I hope you can come.
I won't be at church Sunday; I will be in Minneapolis visiting my sister!!! I am flying up there this Thursday (pray for me, I haven't flown in a long time) and we will drive back to Bham next Monday and Tuesday. My sister has lived there for about 3 years and I've not had a chance to visit. I am looking forward to the time with her and the cooler temps! The highs have been around 80 degrees. :)
Love you all. See you soon!