i’m kidding.
i think the exact opposite, but could not find the “does not equal” sign, so i thought i would just use the “equal” sign to get you to keep reading.
i think that our society pushes comfort as the ultimate goal …
oh if i could just have this much money to _____ (ie be comfortable)
oh if i could just get that job to have enough off time to _____ (ie be comfortable)
and most wonder why they never seem to be content … with the money and free time
because we try to use it as our spiritual nourishment and it never sustains us.
once we reach one threshold, we create another.
the only sustaining grub for our souls: “is to do the will of him who sent me,” (john 4:34)
to feast on the Word,
to rely on his provision through prayer.
the most satisfying thing in our lives is to be in tune with the will of our Father for our individual lives.
why?
because He created us, loves us, and knows what is absolutely best for us…
we don’t know what is best for us.
we try to pretend like we know better
and try to find contentment elsewhere,
and we are let down (eternally) every time.
we might achieve a temporary high,
followed by a crushing let down every time.
after two months of doing the same thing, same pattern, searching for comfort, i came home empty.
now that i am very uncomfortable, i have never been more content because i am having to rely more on Him and less on me, every day.
is it easy? no
is it fun? not always
does it look normal to the world? for sure no
is it worth it? every second, every tear, every lost hair, every blood drop, and every dollar missed is worth it.
it takes me back to a quote from francis chan in his book, “crazy love”
lukewarm people do not live by faith; their lives are structured so they never have to.
do you want to feel a closeness to God like you never have before?
then situate your life so that the only option is for God to provide … like never before.
do you agree?
do you have any experiences that support or oppose this idea?
ltlo
Self image controls our comfort zones.
ALL of us have comfort zones that correspond with our current self-image, notice the word “current”, because as Ronnie says we can change this. Is it uncomfortable-YES, a big yes, rewarding… YES, a big yes. Moving out of our comfort zones causes tension and anxiety and we are unable to think or act as we normally do. A feeling of “being out of place” physically and emotionally usually causes us to get back into that range where we feel more comfortable.
Psalm 23:4 thy rod and thy staff comfort me.
Acts 9:31 and going in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it (the church) continued to increase.
2 Cor 1:3 the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.
2 Cor 1:6 but if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation
1 Thess 4:18 therefore comfort one another
2 thess 2:17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
If you want to feel a closeness to God like never before, get out of your “comfort zone” and rely on God and Him alone, its scary good.
Now on contentment:
Phil 4:11 Not that i speak from want; for i have learned to be content in whatever circumstances i am.
learned- we are constantly learning, i have learned that material things mean nothing, and relationships mean everything.
want- i used to want alot of things, today i want a better relationship with God through being obedient to his word and appreciating everything He put out there for us to enjoy.
content- happy with who i am in this very short time that we are here. God didnt make no junk, we are formed in His image to love and serve Him.
whatever cirumstances- wow, this is a big one, but its fun to master, because as Gen. 18:14 says “Is anything to difficult for the Lord?”
Im in on being content in that promise, how bout you?