Comfort Foods

How better to warm ourselves on a cold, wet, dreary winter day than with a bowl of tasty soup, chowder, or gumbo? Such foods comfort and soothe and get us going.

Paul, the spiritual “daddy” of Thessalonica’s new believers, encourages them to continue and increase their faith, love for one another, prayers, thanksgiving, rejoicing, and perseverance during persecution. He shows affection for them as he urges the babes in Christ to follow the commandments of the Lord as they grow in their newfound faith and be at peace among themselves.

The apostle summarized the Thessalonian’s newfound life in Christ and God’s will for them to follow. He instructed them on the Lord coming to take the living and the dead in Christ with Him into heaven before His return, concluding with: “Wherefore, comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:18

Paul’s letter is also for us. We are to be about our Father’s business. He wants all men to come to the saving knowledge of His Son, Jesus, who died for our sins, rose from the dead and lives forever. That’s the message we’re to tell, the word to get out because it has eternal significance; Jesus told us this was our mission (Matt 28:19–20). Paul says to encourage (comfort) each other and build each other up with these words (5:11). 

God’s Holy Spirit-inspired Word should comfort and stir us into action. While a good bowl of soup on a cold day brings temporary comfort, God's Word is eternally comforting any day.