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Embrace Discomfort

Most of us enjoy comfort. It’s just so … comfortable! Why deal with pain and suffering when we can choose a happy, peaceful existence? Our love of comfort means that we’ll often go out of our way to stay in our comfort zones. This might feel pleasant in the short term, but there’s a danger if we stay there for too long. When we refuse to step outside the door into something new or different, we end up missing out on valuable opportunities to grow.

When you start something new (like a job or internship), your opportunities to grow multiply big time. But those opportunities will probably feel uncomfortable, at least at first. If you're introverted, growth might mean striking up a conversation with someone you’ve never met. If you're more extraverted, growth could mean figuring out when to speak up and when to listen. Embracing discomfort might feel difficult at first, but the more you lean into these opportunities, the more you’ll grow and the more comfortable you’ll start to feel.

The Bible talks about the value that discomfort can bring to our lives in the book of James. James, the brother of Jesus, was writing to a group of believers when he said:

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:2-3 NLT

It isn’t natural or automatic for most of us to find joy in troubles, suffering, and discomfort. It’s normal for these kinds of experiences to test our faith—but James saw the long-term benefits trials can bring. Discomfort is unpleasant in the moment, but it gives us the chance to grow—both as people and as followers of Jesus. And if we keep this truth in mind, stepping out of our comfort zones doesn’t have to seem scary—instead, it can be an exciting step forward.

Tomorrow, we’ll talk about what godly confidence looks like and why it’s important. Until then, here’s something to think about.

Next Step: What about this new season of life makes you uncomfortable? How can you step into that discomfort and grow this week?