The Counterfeit Coin: A Look at the Idol of Comfort
What masters you? I was brought face to face with one of my old masters recently. We all have those moments of temptation whether it be a food craving, the impulse to “clap back” at a snarky comment, a sexual desire, the impulse to exercise or binge or purge, to buy yet another unnecessary item, to take another drink. When I gave into temptation, and I was met with my humanity once again I thought, “there’s my master.”
He’s ugly—the enemy of our hearts. But as believers, redeemed by Christ Jesus, we are no longer slaves to sin. I was redeemed long ago from that particular sin battle, but I saw another idol emerge, one that the world would tell me isn’t really a sin. Something I would even “deserve.” Comfort.
We are in between fallen and fully restored. We are no longer bound by chains to our sinful nature but rather freed to live a life of power and self-control. But in those moments where our humanity strikes, because it will, it’s easy to think “how could I cave again?!” It’s then we have to ask ourselves, whom are we truly serving? Too often for me it’s comfort. Denying myself is uncomfortable. The desires of my flesh often rip over me like an ocean wave. It knocks me down, and I’m left flailing under water, forgetting all I need to do is stand.
The Lord promises to always give us a way out of temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). We will not be overtaken. But sometimes we forget to plant our feet in his promises and truth. We fail to simply stand up out of the crashing waves. Why? Often giving into the desires—not fighting the waves—feels easier. It appears to be less effort. But we forget the power of our God. We forget that he is Lord over our flesh and comfort and desires and urges. It is uncomfortable to have waves crashing into the backs of our knees over and over. But isn’t it more uncomfortable to be caught under the surface? How can we forget so easily that freedom isn’t in letting each moment have its way with us—living “our truth” and “listening to our heart”—but to stay within the solid, safe bounds of our Creator? Consider David seeing Bathsheba on that roof (2 Samuel 11). Going to war is uncomfortable. Resisting lust is uncomfortable. Admitting your faults and repenting is uncomfortable. But so is lying, cheating, killing, and losing a child.
I want Jesus and comfort.
Comfort is such a tricky master. The flip side is that it doesn’t always ask us to blatantly sin in order to avoid it’s opponent (discomfort.) Sometimes comfort demands to be our god in a different way that really doesn’t seem all that bad. I really struggled with the idol of comfort over the past few years as I battled illness. My body, once very able and active, was left completely debilitated. Getting out of bed was painful, putting on clothes was brutal, picking up my children was horrific, walking up a step was impossible. And I vividly remember talking with a friend about my desire for comfort—to just not be in pain. Was it wrong? I had battled for so long and been through such a sweet but difficult season of refinement. I truly knew all I wanted was Jesus Christ, except I also wanted to not be in pain. I asked again, “Is that bad?”
It’s this side of the coin that can often be more difficult to discern. It requires a critical heart-check and self-examination. Who are we truly chasing after? Am I chasing after Jesus or am I chasing after what I perceive he has to offer me? And it doesn’t have to be healthy and pain-free living. It could simply be a bigger paycheck, a remodeled kitchen, a car that doesn’t turn the heads of strangers with its muffler, a healthier number on the scale, a more modern worship service—are these things inherently wrong? Of course not. But when we really dig deep into this longing desire in our lives, we have to ask why? And then the tougher question, whom are we actually serving? We can surely cover it up and make it seem as if these desires are for the Lord. Think “a bigger kitchen so I can be more hospitable!” Can I be blunt? If we are not serving with what we have now, can the Lord trust us with more? I digress.
For me, I often feel as if I’m not doing “enough” for the kingdom because of my limitations. Like I could be doing so much more if only I weren’t so sick. But am I being a good steward with who and what is in front of me now? And is that really even about my desire to serve the Lord or my need to feel productive and in control? (See our previous blog by Josephine Rose for more on control.) I think of Job often, Jesus himself, the disciples. Comfort was not a part of their story by any means. Their loyalty in the grief, pain, torture, death was the Lord.
A Counterfeit Coin
This idol is two sides of the same coin and is so easily disguised as “good” in our culture. But where does comfort come from? Is it our own work? By our own hands? By our own striving and toil? No. True comfort is only from our Father God—the Father of mercies and God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3). Through him and by him only can we truly find comfort and rest. You’ve likely heard the Holy Spirit referred to as “the Comforter” in John 14. That’s who he is and is where our promise for comfort lies.
Comfort is not in the created nor is it in the untroubled life—true comfort is found in God’s steadfast love. In knowing that he is both supreme and sufficient in all things. It’s found in the hope Jesus’ sacrifice and life gives us. It’s found in the very Spirit of the living God that resides in our being. It’s knowing that sin and its destruction are not forever—they have already been defeated. And our victorious home is in the presence of our Savior. Come what may, or not. When our eyes are fixed on Jesus, and we truly abide in him, we can faithfully walk in the comfort Paul shared in Philippians:“for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13, NIV) We can stand firm and overcome temptation through God’s grace. And we can endure when things don’t go our way––knowing the current sufferings do not compare to our future hope and glory.
Chasing Lasting Comfort
As we apply this to our lives today, I want you to really spend some time reflecting this week. Pray with David in Psalm 139 when he said, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” I pray you would have an open, humble heart to truly examine sins in your life and/or the motives behind your desires. It’s deep, I know. Talk this out with a trusted mentor or spiritually mature friend.
And as we search our head, heart, and hands, I’ll leave you with this quote from Val Woerner, “The reality is, we can’t be obsessed with God’s purposes and our own comforts at the same time. One will inevitably take priority. But when we turn our eyes heavenward and remember to ‘keep awake,’ we suddenly become warriors and our comfort level is no longer our top priority.” (Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday) Remember friends, Jesus is Lord over your indulgences and desires, and he is more than enough to carry you through your suffering and disappointments. Seek him first. Abide in him always. And rest in Lasting Comfort.