How to Find Comfort in the Lord When Hard Times Hit

Can a person truly find comfort in the Lord? After all, it’s hard when hard times hit–like loss of income, a loved one, or home. Rest assured, God is our Comforter.

After my Dad died in October 2015, I traveled through three months of grief and sadness until something miraculous happened. God’s comfort became so real that I could nearly feel its texture on my fingertips. I’ll share more of this story throughout this post, but let’s start by putting a stake in the ground and allowing His flag to fly, shall we?

In our hard times, we can find comfort in the Lord. Your journey may look different than mine, but whatever the mountain facing us or seemingly crushing us today, God is our Comforter. Rest in that truth.

What God Says About Hard Times

Don’t be surprised when hard times come. This includes people of faith.

Say what?

Yes, it’s quite clear. There are no promised eternal rose gardens and rainbows here on earth. The Bible indicates that we will face hard times, but it also mentions a silver lining of comfort and hope. Here’s what God says about hard times:

“I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world”

John 16:33 WEB

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12 NIV

How God Comforts Us

God comforts us in a variety of ways. Here are five ways He does this, but there are more as well.

• Bible Verses
  When facing emotional outbursts and “side-taking” at a church meeting, God armed me hours prior with 1 Co. 3:4-9. As a new Christian, I had NO CLUE these words were in the Bible, but they prepared and comforted me as I navigated a highly uncomfortable and confronting situation. I knew to follow Jesus, not men, due to the comfort of God’s Word.
  
  We can search when in need or proactively read. Here is one Bible reading approach to help you. A Psalms reading list called “30 Days in Psalms” is also available. You’ll find it, its companion, plus a plan called “Purpose and Power: A 15 Day Reading Plan in Matthew” in the Subscriber Library. (Not a subscriber? Join us here.)
  
• Prayer
  When Jesus faced his most trying time, where did He turn? To His Father in prayer. Reading through the end of Matthew or Luke, we see “Take this cup,” and “Forgive them.” uttered by Jesus. In His time of need, Jesus turned to the Father. We can too.
  
  When Dad died, words eluded me. In the silence, however, my heart cried out to God. I’m convinced He heard, and the Bible backs that up. He’ll hear you, too, whether through words or thought-laced silence.
  
• Provision
  One time, God comforted my husband’s and my need by providing paper towels on our lawn. (No joke–it’s a neat story you really should read.) He is our Provider, and sometimes, He uses provision to comfort us.
  
• Miracles
  Do you believe in miracles? I certainly do. After Dad died, I couldn’t look at his picture for three months. (Mind you, I was a believer, and he shared with me one day that he was too. Heaven was our hope.) Grief sat on me. I knew God was God and found hope there, but I couldn’t shake the weepy heaviness.
  
  All that changed one day in early 2016 when my kitchen island morphed into a holy altar. As I stood along the edge, in the little space between the granite countertop and our back door, a blanket of comfort cloaked me. Instantly, the heaviness was gone, and for the first time since his death, I looked at my dad’s picture and thanked God for him. I call it a miracle. It was far beyond my power. That’s certain.
  
• Salvation
  When you die, will you go to heaven? Why? Or why not?
  
  For years, I thought being a good girl–one who checked off the list for kindness, obedience, church attendance, and other “nice” things constituted me as a Christian. According to scripture, that’s not true. We can’t earn our way to heaven, but we certainly find comfort in salvation.
  
  When he died, I found great solace in my dad’s salvation. The trial was hard enough with the assurance of heaven. But without?
  
  Don’t leave your loved ones wondering. Don’t miss the everlasting love that beats all other. Find the comfort of salvation today.
  
  Want to know Jesus–to ensure you are saved? Find out more about Jesus and a salvation prayer in this post.

Bible Verses for Comfort and Strength

In my need for comfort, here are two Bible verses I leaned on heavily and repeated in prayer.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 

2 CO. 1:3-4 WEB

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Prov. 3:5-6 NIV

Here are additional Bible verses we can search, study, and park on for comfort and strength.

• Matthew 5:4
• John 16:22
• John 16:33
• Deuteronomy 31:8
• Psalm 46:1

Bible Verses for Stressful Times

God cares about you and me, even when we’re stressed. Here are three Bible verses to study, proclaim, and pray as we ensure and overcome the stress.

• Psalm 55:22
• 1 Peter 5:7
• Philippians 5:6

Find Comfort in the Lord

One last thing. I’m sorry you’re facing hard times. It stinks, walking through the muck and mire of trials. But this truth I know and encourage you to cling to as well. God is faithful. His love never forsakes. Jesus walked the journey to show us this truth.

If things quiet for a while, that’s okay. God is near. When you’re not sure you can hang on any longer, tighten the grip on truth. Find comfort in the Lord when hard times hit, friend. He’s got you.

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