Have you ever had a conversation with a friend, co-worker or loved one that you just can’t stop thinking about? Or have you ever said something that you wish with all your might that you could take back? And thoughts of what you said (or didn’t say) just keep rolling around in your mind … so much so that you can’t think straight? You may even have a sick feeling in your stomach. It’s like something just isn’t “right.”

Let me tell you … I have so been there! (And more times than I’d like to admit.) I recently found myself thinking about a conversation I had with a close friend of mine. I wish I had said some things differently and that I hadn’t said as much as I actually did. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I felt physically sick to my stomach at the thought of what I’d said. I tried talking to my husband about the situation, but he wasn’t very comforting. It actually made me feel worse.

So, in an attempt to take my mind off the thoughts screaming in my head, I invited a friend over to have dinner and play games. That didn’t work … at all. I was miserable and couldn’t focus on my time with my friend. We couldn’t even have a decent conversation because the internal conversation in my head was too loud.

I tried thinking about something else—anything else. I tried to go on as though everything was “normal,” but nothing seemed to work. Nothing took away that nagging feeling … that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I kept second-guessing myself. Why had I said that? Why hadn’t I just kept my mouth shut? It was a never-ending, vicious cycle.

After trying unsuccessfully to rid myself of these thoughts, I finally turned to the Holy Spirit. I prayed and asked Him to take away these feelings I was having and to replace them with peace. I asked Him to give peace to the person I had talked to and take away any bad feelings or thoughts they might be having. I asked Him to comfort me. That’s what I really needed … comforting. I didn’t feel comforted by my husband. I couldn’t get it from my friend. I wasn’t feeling any comfort alone with my thoughts. The only way I found comfort was from the Holy Spirit. And you know what? He immediately answered my prayer. Why? Because the Holy Spirit is my Comforter.

Over the next few weeks, I started thinking about this some more, and the Lord gave me a clearer picture of what the Holy Spirit is like. He reminded me of a friend of mine—a beautiful, spirited single woman who has a very busy career as a Physician’s Assistant. She faithfully goes to Bible study, choir practice and church during the week. And in her free time, she loves to hang out with family and friends, watch football, go to movies and travel. But at the end of the day, if she could be anywhere, she would choose to be at home, because ultimately, that’s the one place where she finds comfort. In fact, she has decorated and arranged her home in such a way that it provides maximum comfort for her. She adores her family, so she has placed family pictures all throughout her living room and hallways. After a long day working at the hospital, she enjoys sitting on her big, comfy couches in her living room surrounded by scented candles while she relaxes to the soothing sounds of jazz music. She also unwinds by watching football and movies on her big screen TV. When she is at home, she is 100% content, happy and comfortable.

But if you didn’t love football or candles or jazz music as much as my friend does, you probably wouldn’t be as comfortable in her home. And that’s OK … it’s not your home. Thankfully, unlike our physical homes, the Holy Spirit is comfortable in any circumstance, any situation, any time … in any home. Why? Because unlike you or me, the Holy Spirit brings true comfort wherever He’s present. We don’t have to adjust to Him; He’s the one who brings the comfort to us, to our lives, to our homes.

For me, this is a perfect picture of how the Holy Spirit brings comfort to me. He is always there to give me comfort, help and friendship … I just have to ask Him. If you’re going through a situation today where you need comforting, I pray that that you find ultimate comfort in the Holy Spirit.

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever.

John 14:16–17

Stacy Burnett