Working The Word (Walking Away From Addiction Into The Sweet Arms of Jesus) As One Whom His Mother Comfotrs

By: Hanny Lynn Stearns

Fish N Loaves Ministries, Inc.

“Multiplying God’s Word Around the Globe”

October 28, 2016

As One Whom His Mother Comforts

Isaiah 66:13

As one whom his mother comforts,
So I will comfort you;
And you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”

This is a passage that I am so familiar with that I do not even have to give it a second thought on where it is at. Why? Because the Lord has spoken it to me time and time again. Back when I was struggling so much with the food addiction thing, He was trying to tell me that He would comfort me – I did not need to turn to food for comfort. Over and over again He was trying to show me that He was standing ready and available to take me in His arms and bring the sweetness of His presence like a flood into my hurting soul.

So many times I just looked at the verse and thought, “Oh, that’s so nice Lord. Thank You.” All the while I went on my way and did not sit down and pray about what He wanted me to do. Looking back now, I can see that all He wanted me to do was to come to Him and not run to the refrigerator. There really was nothing in there that could take away the pain in my heart.

On the days when I did sit aside with Him and allow Him to comfort me, tears would flow like a river from my eyes. Most of the time when that would happen I did not even know that anything was bothering me. This is the tricky part friends. Most of us really do not understand what is really going on in the depths of our hearts at any given moment. We may have an idea, but God knows the whole story – painful as it may be.

Maybe you have had a pretty good day. You come home and do the things you normally do. All of a sudden, you feel something on the inside. Or maybe you wake up in the morning and sense that something is not quite right. Many times, that is what happened to me. The Lord would come alongside of me and have me just sit and be quiet with Him. Most of the time when He calls me to do that, once I get comfortable in my bed or chair, I immediately start crying.

Those tears are coming from deeply rooted wounds from my past. While it is never the Lord who is trying to remind us of our past – that is the devil, He knows what’s back there that needs to be healed. Talking about our past over and over again only opens up the wounds and keeps them bleeding. But when we speak His healing verses over our lives, we can begin to see real and tangible transformation begin to occur. When we feel like that or sense His nudging, we need to stop and get with Him so He can pour His amazing healing balm upon our souls. One thing is certain; Jesus knows exactly what’s bugging us down deep on the inside. He knows what’s eating us that’s making us want to eat too much. He knows that it is time to halt!

You see, it is the pain in our spirit and soul that causes us to reach for that bottle of alcohol, or the pills, drugs, food, sex, whatever it may be. We are hurting and it bothers us so much that we feel like we have to run to something tangible immediately to soothe that pain. But Jesus Himself is the Comforter. He is able to bring the tears up and out and then wipe them away and calm us. I have experienced this many times over the past several years since I surrendered my life to His call and purpose. I was stubborn – don’t get me wrong. And that alone was sin, not to mention the sin of idolatry, running to a “false god” for comfort rather than Him.

For the person who has battled with addiction issues, one cannot allow themselves to get too hungry or tired. These things break down our strength to fight against the wiles of the devil and our flesh. Just this evening as I was finishing my big Bible study in the Psalms for the day, I heard a voice whisper this to me, “Why not go out with your husband for dinner tonight?” Friends, I had already planned the meal. The Lord had already showed me what my evening was supposed to look like. And to top this off, the enemy went to my husband and made the same suggestion, knowing that Denny would jump at the chance to do anything that would make my life easier. Oh but God! Thank You Holy Spirit!

While I was still working, I began to pray about these thoughts coming to me. I prayed in the spirit for a few moments. Then I went outside to walk our puppy. The Lord spoke to my heart. My husband had called and already confirmed what the Lord led him to do about picking up a few items at the store and bringing them home so we could get a good night’s sleep because he has been working hard and is very tired. The Lord was way out in front of the devil. Hallelujah! What He showed me tonight is that when the thoughts come to make a sudden change in plans, go to Him in prayer and then wait. Sometimes it will be Him. But we need to be sure. He will answer us and deliver us from the temptation, just like His word says He will. He is so faithful.

In the end, He gave us the victory. We stayed home; I ate right and all is well with my soul tonight – hallelujah! My husband got to go to bed early and I will too. This morning I was tired. Yesterday I was as well. The Lord had me go back and lay down after my husband went to work. He knew I needed comfort and rest. I cried from being too tired and then laid there and calmly rested. One need never be afraid to approach the Lord for help and comfort. He is ever so gentle and tender with us. He will scoop us up in His arms – even though we cannot see or touch Him in the flesh - and He will bring comfort to our souls, lasting, real comfort.

The important thing is to listen to Holy Spirit. Allow Him to lead your every footstep. Keep saying God’s word out loud over your life. Let Him be your comforter – not some worldly thing. If you do these things, you will see breakthrough my friend. God’s word works when we work it! Praise His sweet name forever!