“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who have been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin” Hebrews 4:15
As women, feeling tempted can make us feel weak, and giving into those temptations makes us feel even weaker. Not only do we know we’ve let God down, but we’ve let ourselves down, along with those who love us.
Still, God doesn’t leave us in our failures; 1 John 1:9 assures us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Our Compassionate God
Because Jesus lived on earth and was tempted in every way, He can sympathize with us, identifying with our weaknesses. Out of His understanding comes His compassion and comfort towards us, and through it, we learn how to comfort those around us when they need it.
“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).
Rejecting the Lies of the Enemy
Consequently, even when we confess our sins and know God has forgiven us, the enemy plays on those self-disappointing emotions. He works to cause us to struggle in moving past failures, convincing us at times that we should give up because our sins have ruined our futures. He lies to us that what we’ve done will affect the rest of our lives in negative ways that can’t be recovered or restored.
But it’s not true; it’s all lies. Every word the enemy of our souls speaks to us is a lie. Lies are the only language the devil can speak, as there is no truth in him. John 8:44 describes his true nature:
“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
But the truth is that God has a way of ridding us of the old things that have taken place in our lives and replacing them with new things. 2 Corinthians 5:17 describes how: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; the old has gone, the new is here!”
How God Comforts Us
So what does it mean when God empathizes with us? How does His comfort affect our lives? Following are six ways we receive the comfort of God:
1. He refreshes our souls. Psalm 23:3 describes how “He refreshed my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake.”
2. He restores us to Himself. God’s comfort brings us restoration. Lamentations 5:21 explains, “Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return, renew our days as of old.”
3. He creates a pure heart in us and renews our spirit. His comfort brings purity and steadfastness to our lives. Psalm 51:10 describes: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
4. He calls us into fellowship. When we feel separated from God, His comfort calls us back to Himself. 1 Corinthians 1:9 explains, “God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.”
5. He reveals His power through our weaknesses. Our weaknesses leave room for God to display His power through us. The Apostle Paul encourages us in 2 Corinthians 12:9, explaining, “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
6. He accomplishes His will through our weaknesses. When we yield to God in our weaknesses, He comforts us by accomplishing His will through them. 1 Corinthians 1:27 explains, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
Let’s Pray:
Dear Father,
My heart is deeply grateful to You. Thank You, O Lord, for Your empathy, Your compassion towards me, and the ways You comfort Me.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Artem Peretiatko
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
Looking for authentic conversations about how to deal with body image, insecurity, and comparison issues as a Christian woman? The Compared to Who? Podcast is the show for you! Twice a week, we tackle tough topics like dieting, disordered eating, weight loss, aging, body dysmorphia, and more from a practical, grace-filled, gospel-centered perspective.
Originally published Friday, 09 February 2024.
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