We lean toward “comfortable.” How many decisions—just today—were motivated by a tendency toward comfort? Like flowing water, we often move along the path of least resistance. But notice this truth: God’s people aren’t exactly at their best when they are led down the road holding onto the hand of comfort rather than that of conviction.
- Just ask Moses. The Israelites—freshly delivered from slavery in Egypt—voted to go back. Why? Because at least it was more comfortable than wandering in the wilderness (Ex. 14–16).
- Ask Joshua. He watched an entire generation miss out on the promised land–all because they were unwilling to march faithfully forward into uncertain territory (Num. 13–14).
- Ask Peter. When he first learned about the cross and all that was going to happen in Jerusalem, he went so far as to rebuke the Son of God (Matt. 16:22)! Was it gutsy? Or avoidance of the uncomfortable? If Peter had his way, Jesus would have avoided the cross. Thus, Jesus rebuked Peter. Oh, and don’t forget, Peter is also the disciple who said, “I don’t know the man” three times! Why? Because the conversations were getting a bit too hot next to that charcoal fire.
Let me pause here and ask: Can our pursuit of comfort cause us to miss what Jesus is doing in our lives and in our world? How many opportunities have we missed because of our unwillingness to get uncomfortable? Has this even stunted our growth?
That brings me to this truth: We are willing to get uncomfortable…but it’s for what we actually value. We strain at the gym, we take on the extra work, we pay more than we should, we miss out on sleep. Our willingness to get uncomfortable often points to our true values.
Here’s the good news: Jesus suffered for what He valued most. He left the comforts of heaven for an old rugged cross because He valued us (Phil. 2:1–11). And He called us to follow His example—to pick up a cross.
So the question remains: Will we get uncomfortable for those He loves (assuming we love them too)?
- Will we serve in ways that aren’t going to earn us status, applause, or approval?
- Will we sacrifice in ways that are actually—well, sacrificial? Sacrificing time, treasures, talents.
- Will we be willing to suffer for His name, as well as for those whom He loves?
I don’t like this truth: Discomfort is often where faith grows strongest. It makes me…well…uncomfortable. But it’s here that I discover Christ alone is my true comfort. He is my comfort now, and where I will find ultimate comfort one day.
God’s people should know—eventually, the wilderness will give way to the Promised Land, the battles will result in victory, and even death will be defeated–and there will be no more tears. True comfort isn’t found in avoiding hardship—it’s found in Him.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Jim Dalrymple
Jim is one of our elders, and he and his family are heavily involved here at Christ’s Church. He also serves as the Chief Advancement Officer and a New Testament / Church Leadership Professor at one of our Impact Partners, Ozark Christian College.
