In Need of Comfort and Peace
Alicia Reese
July 26, 2022
I am writing this on Monday, July 25 and looking for some inspiration, so, I type “bible verse of the day” into my search bar and Google’s first answer says today’s verse is Romans 8:38-39…
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love
of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Immediately, upon reading this, my body relaxes a little. I exhale (not even knowing I was holding my breath in. I feel a wave of reassurance wash over me. The wave isn’t quite strong enough to wash away all of the things on my heart and mind, but it’s enough to remind me that the tension I am holding, the concerns weighing on me, and the chaos of my “monkey-brain” won’t last forever, and that these heavy things that I’m currently holding all rest on a foundation of love and faith.
There are few bible verses that bring me this much peace and comfort. This knowledge and firm belief that nothing, nothing can separate me from the love of God is probably the tenet I cling to most in my Christian identity. It is a divine promise, a covenant with our creator, in which, I trust, I rely on. And that gives me strength.
It is not a promise that death will be avoided or that we will be free from sin, suffering, or sorrow. It is not a promise that we will receive what we want or ask for, but it is a promise that in the face of all of that, and whatever other obstacles life throws at us, we are never alone and will always be held in love.
I pray that you too find comfort and peace in this, that nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate you from God’s love. Thanks be to God. Amen.
