Discomfort
Discomfort is essential for growth. This is obvious. However, most of us also spend a lot of time either trying to eliminate or prevent discomfort.
- Agree or say nothing to avoid confrontation,
- Tell a white lie to avoid hurt feelings.
- Binge instead of exercising.
- Eat comfort food instead far more than healthy options.
- Scroll and swipe instead of make eye contact.
Those are some of the ways I avoid discomfort anyway. I’m sure you have your own list.
Avoiding discomfort is easy. It’s choosing to be uncomfortable, sitting in discomfort and not continually seeking to avoid it as soon as possible, that’s hard.
The Comforter
Life involves discomfort. Some we unnecessarily bring on ourselves. Some comes from others. Some exists just because life is life.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
When I focus on the discomfort in my life, it feels like it gets bigger. When I focus on God, though, he gets bigger instead.
“Aslan,” said Lucy, “you’re bigger.”
“That is because you are older, little one,” answered he.
“Not because you are?”
“I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”
(C.S. Lewis, Prince Caspian)
As I grow by focusing on – trusting in – God, I become more comfortable with him. As that happens, I worry less about discomfort even though it may not abate at all.
“I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass, that you forget the Lord your Maker, who stretches out the heavens and who lays the foundations of the earth…” (Isaiah 51:12-13)
“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you…” (Isaiah 66:13)
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:3)
Focused on the comfort God gives, I am less afraid of the discomfort surrounding me. Discomfort no longer directs me, but I do learn from it.
It is with lens that I wrote Comfortably Uncomfortable, my first book. Though not overtly Christian, the truth about God as comforter lies at its heart. Because God is my firm foundation – my comfort zone – I was able to do the uncomfortable work of writing and sharing it. My prayer is that you embrace God as your comforter, too, and let him take away your fear.
