To be honest with you, I’m still trying to get used to our word for the year - “Uncomfortable.” It’s not easy to know the uncomfortable is coming. It’s funny, because that is actually a definition of anxiety…dread of what’s to come.
But after hearing about having the mind of Christ, there really should not be dread for what is to come. Even though life will get harder (Christ Himself warns us of that), the deeper and closer we get to our great God, the easier it will be to trust Him. So in a very backwards way, the more uncomfortable we get…the easier life becomes.
It all comes down to what God does in the discomfort.
He shapes us, and changes our character, and molds us a little more every single day to become more like Him.
My friend and I were talking the other day about how we see growth in each other towards Christ. We smiled as we thought about how we used to really panic about certain situations, but God has shaped us into two women that trust Him more and more. We both laughed with hope as I said, “I wonder what we will be like in our 80s!”
There is hope for who we will become because Christ is involved. He took two anxiety-driven girls and turned us into women who now “laugh without fear of the future” like we hear of in Proverbs 31.
Sometimes I wonder…is it even possible to laugh in the middle of discomfort?
I’m reminded of the times that spiritual attacks have been brought against me as I am getting ready to speak, or release a book, or serve in some capacity. You wouldn’t believe the things that happened before the prayer class I helped lead this past year! But as I told my friend about each and every attack, we both felt a stronger sense of courage. It was hard to go through the attacks, no question, but it was also this moment where she encouraged me with, “Hey, if there is so much attack, you must be doing something right!”
The enemy will work hard to get us in an uncomfortable place. But discomfort can also be a place of joy, laughter, and knowing that even though things look a little crazy right now, God is still in control!
Joy in chaos. That’s the beauty of the Christian life.
I love how Megan Marshman puts it in her book Relaxed (quoting Dr. Gualtiere):
“Certainly, Jesus has some very un-relaxed emotions in these and other situations. Anguish, excruciating pain, overhelming pressure, fear, anger, and grief can certainly work against feeling relaxed. But the Master shows us that even in crisis or pain a mature person who is attuned to and aligned with God’s presence can be calm, joyful, and loving.”
If you’re feeling a little nervous about the word for this year, just know you are not alone in that. I have been nervously talking to God about it all week! But deep at the heart of being uncomfortable is true growth. And I think that’s what God wants for each and every one of us.
He never wants to leave us right where we are, that would be a waste of a life. Instead, He cares about who we will become. He cares about a deeper and more committed relationship. He cares about being our Audience of One.
But after hearing about having the mind of Christ, there really should not be dread for what is to come. Even though life will get harder (Christ Himself warns us of that), the deeper and closer we get to our great God, the easier it will be to trust Him. So in a very backwards way, the more uncomfortable we get…the easier life becomes.
It all comes down to what God does in the discomfort.
He shapes us, and changes our character, and molds us a little more every single day to become more like Him.
My friend and I were talking the other day about how we see growth in each other towards Christ. We smiled as we thought about how we used to really panic about certain situations, but God has shaped us into two women that trust Him more and more. We both laughed with hope as I said, “I wonder what we will be like in our 80s!”
There is hope for who we will become because Christ is involved. He took two anxiety-driven girls and turned us into women who now “laugh without fear of the future” like we hear of in Proverbs 31.
Sometimes I wonder…is it even possible to laugh in the middle of discomfort?
I’m reminded of the times that spiritual attacks have been brought against me as I am getting ready to speak, or release a book, or serve in some capacity. You wouldn’t believe the things that happened before the prayer class I helped lead this past year! But as I told my friend about each and every attack, we both felt a stronger sense of courage. It was hard to go through the attacks, no question, but it was also this moment where she encouraged me with, “Hey, if there is so much attack, you must be doing something right!”
The enemy will work hard to get us in an uncomfortable place. But discomfort can also be a place of joy, laughter, and knowing that even though things look a little crazy right now, God is still in control!
Joy in chaos. That’s the beauty of the Christian life.
I love how Megan Marshman puts it in her book Relaxed (quoting Dr. Gualtiere):
“Certainly, Jesus has some very un-relaxed emotions in these and other situations. Anguish, excruciating pain, overhelming pressure, fear, anger, and grief can certainly work against feeling relaxed. But the Master shows us that even in crisis or pain a mature person who is attuned to and aligned with God’s presence can be calm, joyful, and loving.”
If you’re feeling a little nervous about the word for this year, just know you are not alone in that. I have been nervously talking to God about it all week! But deep at the heart of being uncomfortable is true growth. And I think that’s what God wants for each and every one of us.
He never wants to leave us right where we are, that would be a waste of a life. Instead, He cares about who we will become. He cares about a deeper and more committed relationship. He cares about being our Audience of One.
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.