Heavenly Comforters

Then he grew serious. “Dad, Jesus had the angels sing to me because I was so scared. They made me feel better.”

—HEAVEN IS FOR REAL, XIX

Sonja

Colton wasn’t the first person to be comforted by angels in a scary place. The Bible tells us on the first Christmas night, shepherds staying out in their fields with their sheep were terrified by the “glory of the Lord” that suddenly surrounded them. I imagine a little boy would probably be just as scared when he found himself in a strange place.

The angels sang to Colton when he was in the hospital operating room, anesthetized, and about to be taken up to heaven. A lot of people who have a near-death experience talk about a white light or a long tunnel and a sense of peace. But here’s a little kid saying, “I was so scared.”

He was scared of the unknown, scared of what was happening to him. Most noticeable to me in all this is that Colton was totally honest about what he was feeling. His experience makes me think about what happens when we adults admit that we’re scared about something. What happens when we’re totally honest with ourselves and with God?

The Bible says God is looking for worshippers who worship him “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24; italics mine). When we come before God with truthful spirits, that’s the point where he can deal with our honest feelings. Of course he already knows what’s going on inside us, but he addresses those feelings when we honestly bring them before him.

So picture Colton suddenly finding himself in heaven. Since he’s a little boy, he doesn’t know any better than to express his honest feelings: I’m scared.

Then what’s the first thing Jesus did for him? He addressed that need. He sent his angels to sing to Colton.

The lesson for us is that Jesus will comfort us too when we’re scared, even before we get to heaven. Whether we’re scared about our child’s health or our own, our job or our finances—whatever is scaring you, bring it to Jesus in honest prayer and trust that he will respond to your need in exactly the way that works best for you.

God already knows what’s happening inside you, but he wants you to share honestly with him about your feelings. Wonderful things happen when you do.

There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”

—Luke 2:8–10 NIV