Comfort Food That Actually...Comforts

You know what comfort food is. You know all about using food like a small-pleasure savior to rescue you from loneliness and fear and anxiety and self-pity and boredom and so on.

What if we learned from this oh-so-natural "move" we make to food when we are in pain or need? What if we realized that this running to food is a parody of the running to Food that we ought to make?!

Jesus said,

'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'

Here is comfort food for your soul that doesn't leave you feeling uncomfortable.

If you are overwhelmed…eat!

Isaiah 43:1 But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. ... 4 Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you,

If you are lonely…eat!

Hebrews 13:5 [God himself] has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

If you are afraid…eat!

Isaiah 41:10 'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

If you are anxious…eat!

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

If you’ve been criticized…eat!

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

If you are bored…eat!

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

What would happen if we replaced (repented of!) the trust in functional-savior-food with trust in the truly-satisfying, bread of life, living water Savior Jesus? In real time. In real life. Really. Like, say, tonight at 9pm when you're not hungry, but you're just looking around for something to...eat. Like, say, tomorrow after that hard phone call. Or when you get anxious about the finances. Or when you get angry at your spouse. Or when you get to feeling bad about your weight or looks or wardrobe.

At least one thing would happen. Rather than feeling uncomfortable because we've bought the lies of comfort food...again, we would be comforted by the solid, satisfying comfort of God.