Courage over Comfort

I was searching for the perfect fit. Snug, but not tight. Stable, but not rigid. Bouncy but not squishy. Finally, after trying multiple pairs, I found the running shoes I was searching for. I would run in them, but not only run. I also intended to use them for my daily walks, for my upcoming vacation and even to the office. These would be all-purpose shoes, so above all else, I needed them to be comfortable.

Comfortable. The very word itself warms our heart and brings a smile to our face. We all love to be comfortable. In fact, whether consciously or subconsciously, many of our daily decisions are made with comfort in mind. Consider the time, effort, energy and even money we put into ensuring our lives here on earth are as secure and comfortable as possible. We love the idea of rest and relaxation. We seek simplicity and convenience. We aim for lives free from conflict, stress and anxiety. Of course we acknowledge that a frictionless life of ease is unrealistic, but still, that reality rarely persuades us from pursuing it nonetheless. Our culture is a culture that prizes comfort and convenience. Comfort is one of the great idols of our modern age.

As Christians, this idea of being comfortable quite possibly makes us feel…well, uncomfortable, and for good reason. Although it’s true that there’s nothing inherently wrong with enjoying some of the comforts this life has to offer (I’m literally writing this article while on vacation), we understand that there is such a thing as “too comfortable”.

From Amos 6:1 - Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria.

And from Haggai 1:2-4 - Thus says the Lord of hosts: “These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, “Is it time for yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies in ruins?”

These passages from the minor prophets serve as warnings against pursuing mere earthly comfort, from being ‘at ease’ in our ‘paneled houses’. They remind us that those who seek God and genuinely strive to serve him are called to something higher and nobler. Christians are instructed to work, to sacrifice, and to be courageous in the face of trials and suffering as well as resolute in service of God’s kingdom and his purpose, not our own. In light of this admonition, let’s consider three ways in which we can embrace a Joshua chapter one mentality and choose courage over comfort.

First, choose the courage to challenge ourselves. We know that growth and maturity are important qualities to cultivate in the life of a Christian. And yet, occasionally we can suffer from malaise or a lack of motivation. Perhaps we permit ourselves to feel as though we’ve learned enough or worked enough or accomplished enough. We may feel secure in our “membership” in the church of Christ and confident in our long held traditions. We’re comfortable with what we know, the ways we’re “supposed to think” and “the way we’ve always done things.” Jesus scolds the Jewish leaders for their handling of traditions (Matt 15:3-11). God’s word encourages a growth mindset characterized by searching, examining and testing (e.g., the noble minded Bereans in Acts 17:11 and 2 Peter 3:17-18, where we are exhorted to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord).

Next, embrace the courage to change. The very notion of discipleship is rooted in the idea that we can change, that we must change (Rom 12:1-2). Why is it then, that so many of us find change so difficult? Because change is hard. Change is uncomfortable. Fortunately, for those who have put on Christ in baptism, we ARE changed. We are new creatures (2 Cor 5:17). But change does not stop there. It begins there, and we must embrace change as a mindset, as a lifelong journey. This degree of changes needs commitment. It requires endurance. It necessitates humility. And it demands courage. It means we must have the strength to break out of our comfort zones and place our trust in God, understanding that he has the transforming power to forgive us and to change us for his purpose and his glory.

Finally, adopt the courage to encourage others. We all need encouragement from time to time. I certainly do. But encouraging others often requires time and effort. Sometimes encouraging others may seem daunting. It can be awkward, inconvenient or perhaps feel burdensome. There may even be times where encouragement must take the rather unpleasant form of confrontation. In situations like these we might feel uncomfortable and it can be easier to convince ourselves that someone else will step up to do the encouraging. Someone older, someone wiser, someone better suited to the task. But imagine a body of Christ where everyone thought and behaved in this way. There would be no encouragement. The Hebrew writer challenges us to adopt a sense of urgency in encouraging one another today (Heb 3:3) and later reminds us not to avoid assembling together - and why? So that we can stimulate one another to love and good works (Heb 10:24-25).

Is there no comfort then to be found in this life? Fortunately we can answer that with a resounding NO. There IS comfort. God’s comfort. And we can be assured of this comfort when we commit our lives to Christ and take up the mantle of courage. Courage to challenge, to endure, to struggle, to change, to suffer and to encourage one another to patiently wait on the Lord for the comfort that only he can provide (2 Cor 1:3-7).

-  Jeff Clark

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