Satisfied in Discomfort
I like my comfort zone. Anybody that knows me well, knows this. I love to feel at home and completely safe in where I am, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. BUT, God doesn't call his people to be comfortable. He doesn't call us to a life of 100% security. Life is not created to be risk-free.
Before our Savior ascended into Heaven, he told his disciples what it was they were sent to do. In the final chapter of Mark and the 15th verse, Jesus told his disciples, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." These 11 (soon to be 12) followers of Jesus were sent into the wicked world to speak the truth nobody wanted to hear at the time. They were instructed to step into the war with full dedication to God and his will. There is no doubt that the disciples faced a difficult task. To step into several cities telling Jews of the Messiah they had been waiting hundreds of years for was not an easy task. Jesus never made it easy, and I don't believe He will.
Difficulty makes us grow.
Romans 5:3-4
"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope;"
I don't necessarily like troubles and sorrow, but deep in my heart and my soul, I know God is working on me. I have been quite a contradiction lately. I keep praying for God to change me, to strengthen me, to help me grow in him. And then he does. But then I feel it in my heart, but never act on it. What a dangerous game that is. Don't play that game, children of the Almighty. I will tell you right now that you cannot win that game. I'm not winning.
I have spent a majority of my life in a comfort zone, but God does not want me where I am comfortable. Think about it...you are comfortable in your bed, no? Yes. And what do you do when your bed is comfy? You lay in it and relish in the warmth and peace it brings. Are you accomplishing anything? No. Are you being an example to others? Yes. But a good example, a godly example? No.
When we find comfort in our lives, I know, from experience, that we lose sight of our purpose. I don't want this to happen to any of you, my sweet brothers and sisters. Losing sight of your purpose makes living life for God very difficult.
A FEW THINGS I HAVE LEARNED IN MY DISCOMFORT:
1) God is everything.
2) Nobody can fill you up like the Holy Ghost.
3) Marriage should not be a life goal.
4) Trusting God is deeper than it looks.
5) The devil is completely, utterly, and unashamedly evil.
GOD IS EVERYTHING.
I mean no exaggeration. I am being completely honest. God is everything. Without my Father, my life is nothing. Without the Creator, I am dust. Without His will, I am lost. Without my King, I am poor. God is my whole heart and my whole life. I forgot this for a little while. I got caught up in what I wanted out of this life, this world. The devil tricked me, and I fell for it. But the traps the devil sets are no match to the grace God has. God opened my eyes again, and it hurt. But the pain was worth the gain.
Ephesians 4:6
"One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
NOBODY CAN FILL YOU UP LIKE THE HOLY GHOST/SPIRIT.
NOBODY. Not a soul. Nothing in this world was made to satisfy us, and I learned quickly and painfully that the Holy Ghost is the one thing we can count on to fill our souls with satisfaction. We were created to live in the presence of God, the Holy Spirit. I have lived with four older siblings for all my life. I am the youngest, and I guess I have been spoiled. They have been here for me since day one, they had no choice. I love my siblings with such deep love. More than I love coffee and journals. More than that ink smell and the sounds of a typewriter. I love them endlessly. But they moved away and started beautiful lives, distant from my life. I always thought they would be here physically, but that was unrealistic of me. In my times of worry and stress and fear, I turn to them and to my parents, but still the fear surrounds me. Still, the worry courses through my heart. It's funny how long it took for me to understand where true peace and utter joy comes from. I have known for many years this truth, but to finally understand it. The journey to this realization is not finished yet, but now I know what road I am on, and I find closure in that.
Romans 5:5
"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
3) MARRIAGE SHOULD NOT BE A LIFE GOAL.
Girls, I know this is a crazy thought, but it's true. All my life, I feel like I've been living in order to get married. How sad. I felt like my value depended partially on my relationship status. How disappointed God must have been in me. How dare I place my worth on something that is not even a guarantee? How dare I? Realizing I had lived much of my life toward this goal was not fun, but I know now. I learned that life is so much deeper than romantic love. Don't get me wrong, I still struggle with it, and I feel like I will for a while. And that's okay. God just wants me to grow in his love alone. His love is enough, and he wants me to know that. God's love is my life. And although it has taken me over 18 years to grasp this concept, I have many more to live it out in my life. Lord willing. Marriage is beautiful in God. It is holy and life-changing, but there is so much more to marriage than the lovely emotions connected with it. Placing matrimony on a pedestal gets you nowhere in your walk with God. For me, I was left at standstill. Keep moving, my friends. Keep pursuing the Father with a heart beating only for him. Chase his commands and fulfill his desires. Find your worth in Christ alone, beloved.
Psalm 73:28
"But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works."
4) TRUSTING GOD IS MUCH DEEPER THAN IT LOOKS.
Controlling your life never works. No matter how many times I tell other people to let God guide their life, I still struggle to let him guide mine. Hypocrite? No, just broken like the rest of you. I give others this advice with a full heart and deep love, but I can't seem to put this into my life. It isn't because I don't want to, but rather because I stand in my own way. I must learn to let go. I have held to something for years now, and I am so frightened to let go. I keep telling God that he can have it, but I never truly give it to him. Why? I don't know. I'm afraid that if I let it go, that it will never come back. I get so angry at myself when I do this. I ask God for help and then reject it when he sends it. I have to trust. I have to give. And sometimes I have to accept that I may get nothing in return. Sometimes we have to let people out of our lives for God to bring around the best, whether we see it or not. Trusting is difficult for me, but I am working on it. Give it all to him in full faith and love. He knows best. He loves you, and his plan for you is so much deeper and beautiful than you can imagine.
Isaiah 55:8-9
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Ephesians 3:20-21
"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."
5) THE DEVIL IS COMPLETELY, UTTERLY, AND UNASHAMEDLY EVIL.
I say this with full conviction. He tricks, he lies, he deceives, he kills, he steals, he cheats, and he sneaks. Everything you think is good is bad because the devil blinds us to God's goodness. I'm not sure where I am going with this, but I know the devil is dark. He tries his very best to stop us in our tracks and turn us around. He tries his best to take us away from God. When I feel my weakest and the worst, I know in my soul that reading God's word will help and praying will bring clarity, but then I stop and don't. I sit and let the feelings wash over me. I let the devil keep speaking lies to me all the while God is waiting for me to move. I hate that the devil holds so little power over us, none, yet we give him so much. Give the devil nothing. If anything, give him the cold shoulder and run to God. Run with all you have. Sprint if that's what it takes to escape the devil's grasp. Run until you can't breathe and run some more. The giver of life and love is waiting for you, anticipating your weariness, pain, tears, and sorrow. Lean on him and feel at home. God is home.
James 4:7-10
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."
So, you see, being completely out of your comfort zone is scary, but beautifully so. God is pushing you away from being stagnant. He wants us on the move, living for him. There is no life outside of God, and we forget this sometimes. Comfort zones are no more than mirages in the desert God has called us to travel through. Mirages offer shade, water, and rest in the midst of heat, dryness, and constant exercise. But the water of life is within us, before us, behind us, above us, and all around us. The true giver of rest is waiting for us at the end of our journey through the desert. Don't block out the light. Don't drink water other than that from the fountain of life. Don't succumb to slothfulness and apathy.
You were made for more. You were made to live.
When you feel like a fish out of water, Jesus will be the fountain you may jump back into. When everything around you in changing, know that God is not. He never will. You will change, child. You will grow, daughter. God will strengthen you, son. Just breathe. Dwell in God. Study him. Research his ways in his word. Find his truth. He is the light, the way, the truth, the bread, the savior, the redeemer, the king. Nobody can complete you. No boyfriend, no girlfriend, no family, no friends, no husband, no children. Nobody.
Please, take it from me, surrender it ALL to God. There is no other way to find purpose, joy, truth, and an eternally happy end.
May God, the One True King, be with you in all you do. May you pursue the true faith with a pure heart and good intentions. May God guide your steps and lead you into his kingdom.
I love you.
JesusFreak
Before our Savior ascended into Heaven, he told his disciples what it was they were sent to do. In the final chapter of Mark and the 15th verse, Jesus told his disciples, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." These 11 (soon to be 12) followers of Jesus were sent into the wicked world to speak the truth nobody wanted to hear at the time. They were instructed to step into the war with full dedication to God and his will. There is no doubt that the disciples faced a difficult task. To step into several cities telling Jews of the Messiah they had been waiting hundreds of years for was not an easy task. Jesus never made it easy, and I don't believe He will.
Difficulty makes us grow.
Romans 5:3-4
"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope;"
I don't necessarily like troubles and sorrow, but deep in my heart and my soul, I know God is working on me. I have been quite a contradiction lately. I keep praying for God to change me, to strengthen me, to help me grow in him. And then he does. But then I feel it in my heart, but never act on it. What a dangerous game that is. Don't play that game, children of the Almighty. I will tell you right now that you cannot win that game. I'm not winning.
I have spent a majority of my life in a comfort zone, but God does not want me where I am comfortable. Think about it...you are comfortable in your bed, no? Yes. And what do you do when your bed is comfy? You lay in it and relish in the warmth and peace it brings. Are you accomplishing anything? No. Are you being an example to others? Yes. But a good example, a godly example? No.
When we find comfort in our lives, I know, from experience, that we lose sight of our purpose. I don't want this to happen to any of you, my sweet brothers and sisters. Losing sight of your purpose makes living life for God very difficult.
A FEW THINGS I HAVE LEARNED IN MY DISCOMFORT:
1) God is everything.
2) Nobody can fill you up like the Holy Ghost.
3) Marriage should not be a life goal.
4) Trusting God is deeper than it looks.
5) The devil is completely, utterly, and unashamedly evil.
GOD IS EVERYTHING.
I mean no exaggeration. I am being completely honest. God is everything. Without my Father, my life is nothing. Without the Creator, I am dust. Without His will, I am lost. Without my King, I am poor. God is my whole heart and my whole life. I forgot this for a little while. I got caught up in what I wanted out of this life, this world. The devil tricked me, and I fell for it. But the traps the devil sets are no match to the grace God has. God opened my eyes again, and it hurt. But the pain was worth the gain.
Ephesians 4:6
"One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
NOBODY CAN FILL YOU UP LIKE THE HOLY GHOST/SPIRIT.
NOBODY. Not a soul. Nothing in this world was made to satisfy us, and I learned quickly and painfully that the Holy Ghost is the one thing we can count on to fill our souls with satisfaction. We were created to live in the presence of God, the Holy Spirit. I have lived with four older siblings for all my life. I am the youngest, and I guess I have been spoiled. They have been here for me since day one, they had no choice. I love my siblings with such deep love. More than I love coffee and journals. More than that ink smell and the sounds of a typewriter. I love them endlessly. But they moved away and started beautiful lives, distant from my life. I always thought they would be here physically, but that was unrealistic of me. In my times of worry and stress and fear, I turn to them and to my parents, but still the fear surrounds me. Still, the worry courses through my heart. It's funny how long it took for me to understand where true peace and utter joy comes from. I have known for many years this truth, but to finally understand it. The journey to this realization is not finished yet, but now I know what road I am on, and I find closure in that.
Romans 5:5
"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
3) MARRIAGE SHOULD NOT BE A LIFE GOAL.
Girls, I know this is a crazy thought, but it's true. All my life, I feel like I've been living in order to get married. How sad. I felt like my value depended partially on my relationship status. How disappointed God must have been in me. How dare I place my worth on something that is not even a guarantee? How dare I? Realizing I had lived much of my life toward this goal was not fun, but I know now. I learned that life is so much deeper than romantic love. Don't get me wrong, I still struggle with it, and I feel like I will for a while. And that's okay. God just wants me to grow in his love alone. His love is enough, and he wants me to know that. God's love is my life. And although it has taken me over 18 years to grasp this concept, I have many more to live it out in my life. Lord willing. Marriage is beautiful in God. It is holy and life-changing, but there is so much more to marriage than the lovely emotions connected with it. Placing matrimony on a pedestal gets you nowhere in your walk with God. For me, I was left at standstill. Keep moving, my friends. Keep pursuing the Father with a heart beating only for him. Chase his commands and fulfill his desires. Find your worth in Christ alone, beloved.
Psalm 73:28
"But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works."
4) TRUSTING GOD IS MUCH DEEPER THAN IT LOOKS.
Controlling your life never works. No matter how many times I tell other people to let God guide their life, I still struggle to let him guide mine. Hypocrite? No, just broken like the rest of you. I give others this advice with a full heart and deep love, but I can't seem to put this into my life. It isn't because I don't want to, but rather because I stand in my own way. I must learn to let go. I have held to something for years now, and I am so frightened to let go. I keep telling God that he can have it, but I never truly give it to him. Why? I don't know. I'm afraid that if I let it go, that it will never come back. I get so angry at myself when I do this. I ask God for help and then reject it when he sends it. I have to trust. I have to give. And sometimes I have to accept that I may get nothing in return. Sometimes we have to let people out of our lives for God to bring around the best, whether we see it or not. Trusting is difficult for me, but I am working on it. Give it all to him in full faith and love. He knows best. He loves you, and his plan for you is so much deeper and beautiful than you can imagine.
Isaiah 55:8-9
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Ephesians 3:20-21
"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."
5) THE DEVIL IS COMPLETELY, UTTERLY, AND UNASHAMEDLY EVIL.
I say this with full conviction. He tricks, he lies, he deceives, he kills, he steals, he cheats, and he sneaks. Everything you think is good is bad because the devil blinds us to God's goodness. I'm not sure where I am going with this, but I know the devil is dark. He tries his very best to stop us in our tracks and turn us around. He tries his best to take us away from God. When I feel my weakest and the worst, I know in my soul that reading God's word will help and praying will bring clarity, but then I stop and don't. I sit and let the feelings wash over me. I let the devil keep speaking lies to me all the while God is waiting for me to move. I hate that the devil holds so little power over us, none, yet we give him so much. Give the devil nothing. If anything, give him the cold shoulder and run to God. Run with all you have. Sprint if that's what it takes to escape the devil's grasp. Run until you can't breathe and run some more. The giver of life and love is waiting for you, anticipating your weariness, pain, tears, and sorrow. Lean on him and feel at home. God is home.
James 4:7-10
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."
So, you see, being completely out of your comfort zone is scary, but beautifully so. God is pushing you away from being stagnant. He wants us on the move, living for him. There is no life outside of God, and we forget this sometimes. Comfort zones are no more than mirages in the desert God has called us to travel through. Mirages offer shade, water, and rest in the midst of heat, dryness, and constant exercise. But the water of life is within us, before us, behind us, above us, and all around us. The true giver of rest is waiting for us at the end of our journey through the desert. Don't block out the light. Don't drink water other than that from the fountain of life. Don't succumb to slothfulness and apathy.
You were made for more. You were made to live.
When you feel like a fish out of water, Jesus will be the fountain you may jump back into. When everything around you in changing, know that God is not. He never will. You will change, child. You will grow, daughter. God will strengthen you, son. Just breathe. Dwell in God. Study him. Research his ways in his word. Find his truth. He is the light, the way, the truth, the bread, the savior, the redeemer, the king. Nobody can complete you. No boyfriend, no girlfriend, no family, no friends, no husband, no children. Nobody.
Please, take it from me, surrender it ALL to God. There is no other way to find purpose, joy, truth, and an eternally happy end.
May God, the One True King, be with you in all you do. May you pursue the true faith with a pure heart and good intentions. May God guide your steps and lead you into his kingdom.
I love you.
JesusFreak
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