~ Our beloved doggie, Benjamin Franklin Fichter (the real B.F.F.)  used to love jumping up on the couch to share space with us. It was his favorite spot. But once arthritis took its toll, he was forced to find a new favorite spot. We got one of those eggshell cushions, placing it on the living room floor near the couch and television. He learned a new space not only helped with his physical limitations, but made a way for him to still be near us.

~ After my father had a significant stroke in 1993, he had to abruptly abandon many of his favorite places and activities. No more fishing trips along the Big Thompson River. No more gardening. No more camping trips in his beloved camper. He found himself confined to a wheelchair, eventually having to move to a nursing home. His true character rose as he purposed to make the best of life’s challenges, finding a new favorite spot to read the daily newspaper, watch television, and listen to music. Though far more confined, this new space still allowed him to watch over and care for his beloved Margaret until the day he went home to Jesus.

I could go on, right? Aging and physical challenges necessitate new routines and evolving levels of comfort. Spaces we once enjoyed change for a variety of reasons, but—by God’s grace—we resolve to look for fresh comforts and experiences.

This is also true for job changes, relocations, relationships, raising children, etc. Life is ever faithful to ask us to find a new favorite spot to appreciate, even enjoy.

And, the good news is those new places can be found, though we often wrestle with fear, frustration, worry and anger before we settle in.

There have been many disruptions in typical routines in recent years, haven’t there? From devastating storms, fires and heat waves … to health problems, pandemics and the death of loved ones … to loss of employment, or housing. These have been years filled with one piece of bad news after another. While personally I’m only experiencing minor disappointments and struggles, I am grieved by the significant sorrows and challenges my friends and loved ones face. Heartbreaking news as well as ongoing troubles that refuse to go away threaten to entangle us in unwanted emotions of fear and even despair.

Like my father, we prove our character when we persevere and do the best we can to find new places of comfort.

New jobs, new homes, new states and new friendships invite hope, and that is good. Often God repositions us, bringing us to places of abundant blessing. I like that. But I also know that true comfort can only be found in deepening our relationship with Jesus.

Psalms 71:3 is one of many scriptures reminding us that when all is said and done, only God’s presence provides the place of safety and assurance we long for: “Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go. Give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress”.  (See also Psalm 46:1, Psalm 62:8, Psalm 5:11, Psalm 34:8 — I could add many, many more references 😊)

In the New Testament, Jesus uses a powerful analogy to help us wisely weigh the places (or people) we gravitate toward as we seek new favorite spots of comfort. “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash” (Matthew 7:24-27).

Considering all the natural disasters we’ve faced recently, this is a very poignant comparison.

Jesus warned us to be careful regarding where we seek to find comfort. Like shifting sand, retreating into unhealthy habits only brings greater problems. Dulling emotional pain with substance abuse, or taking our anger out on those we love only adds guilt and shame to our list of sorrows.

Trying to “remake” ourselves into something God never intended leads to greater confusion about life and identity (more shifting sand). And hiding far away from a society wrought with violence and hatred is not the stance for virtue we know our society is desperate for.

Compromise, neglect and complacency are false spots of comfort, to be sure.

Life is faithful to demand that we adjust daily routines. And sometimes, life gives us quite the gut punch. In every difficult situation, there is hope for those who build their house upon the rock of God’s refuge. He strengthens the hurting, the anxious and the fearful. He guides us to new places of abundance and carries us through gut punching seasons.

Lord, help us build our lives upon You, our rock and redeemer. Lead us away from relying on the false comforts of shifting sand. Bring us to the place of true abundance and blessing. Amen.