It’s Saturday and the weekend has begun. Depending on what we accomplished during the week, today is either a day to cram in as many work projects as possible or it will be a day of relaxation and leisure. We know that tomorrow will be a day of worship, finding us in Sunday School, morning and evening services, right? (Subtle hint) But today, assuming we get in some relaxation, we would say that we want to be comfortable.
What would it take to provide comfort for you? Soft pillow? Stretched out in a hammock between a couple of trees? Your favorite baggy sweats, torn shirt, and holey socks? Maybe no socks or shoes? No phone calls or people? Comfort foods? I still remember as a kid getting off the school bus in the fall and even before opening the door, I could smell chili, cornbread, apple pie or dumplings. Everything inside you melted on the spot and you felt – comfortable. Everything was right with the world or, at least, in the little corner in which I lived.
On January 13, 2026, Emily Rokke contributed an article to oddee.com titled “Odd Comfortable Things That Make Us Feel Good.” She listed about 50 things that bring comfort. You would have to read the list in its entirety for yourself to see if any of your favorite comfort things are listed. I’m not sure why she called them odd. The vast majority sounded completely normal to me! Here’s just a sampling:
- Wearing oversized clothes that feel like a blanket more than an outfit makes people feel protected and unjudged.
- The low hum of a refrigerator or air conditioner can be a steady background noise that signals stability and normalcy.
- The smell of clean laundry, yours or not, can instantly lower stress levels.
- Holding a warm mug, regardless of what’s inside, gives a sense of grounding and
safety. - Rereading old messages or emails from years ago makes the past feel contained and manageable. Is this one of your favorite odd comfortable things?
- The weight of a heavy blanket or coat creates a cocoon-like pressure that calms the nervous system.
- Organizing small items, like pens or screws, provides control in a low-stakes way.
- The smell of books, old paper, or libraries evokes quiet and concentration without effort.
- The sound of pages turning or a pencil scratching on paper feels reassuringly human and slow.
- The sound of rain hitting a window, especially when there’s nowhere you need to be, creates a sense of rest.
- Smelling a specific food associated with childhood can instantly bring emotional warmth.
- Folding laundry while watching something familiar combines productivity with comfort.
- Watching fish in an aquarium slows breathing and thoughts without requiring
attention. - Sitting near windows during storms creates safe proximity to chaos.
- The smell of coffee brewing signals routine and predictability even before caffeine kicks in.
- Doodling mindlessly during conversations helps people feel present without pressure.
- Sleeping with a fan on provides both white noise and consistent airflow that mimics outdoor breezes.
- The texture of certain fabrics, like fleece or worn cotton, can instantly soothe.
- Having a pet nearby, even asleep, provides silent companionship.
- Watching snowfall from indoors creates a feeling of quiet isolation without loneliness.
- The smell of soap or shampoo lingering after a shower reinforces the feeling of being reset.1
The greatest comfort that we can have – and it’s a comfort that is “odd” to the majority of people – comes from a source unlike any other. John 14:16-18 says, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (17) Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (18) I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” God the Holy Spirit indwells us the moment we trust Jesus as our Savior. As the Scripture says, He abides with us forever, dwelling with us and in us.
The Greek word for Comforter is parakletos. Thayer’s Greek Dictionary gives a broad definition for understanding. The word means: summoned, called to one’s side, especially called to one’s aid; 1a) one who pleads another’s cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate; 1b) one who pleads another’s cause with one, an intercessor; 1b1) of Christ in his exaltation at God’s right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins; 1c) in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant.2
This Comforter which is given to us “…which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26)
The child of God is never truly lonely. We have the abiding Spirit. He is our guide, helper, teacher, defender, protector, and comforter in our darkest times of discouragement, and an encourager as we travel life’s journey.
Do you need comfort today? As a Christian, look no further than the truth of Who lives within you. If you are not a child of God, the conviction you feel right now as you search for answers is coming from the Holy Spirit of God. Respond to Him today.
“And when he (the Holy Spirit) is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (9) Of sin, because they believe not on me; (10) Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; (11) Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.” (John 16:8-11)
1https://www.oddee.com/odd-comfortable-things-that-make-us-feel-good-77312/
2Thayer’s Greek Dictionary module, e-sword.net
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