Don't Discredit Discomfort

I don't think anyone enjoys discomfort; but sadly, it's a part of life. We all go through seasons of change, and periods of discomfort. We get tired, beaten down and fatigued. Some of us are in that season right now. It's grueling, and it's painful, I hear ya! I've been going through some discomfort of my own. It isn't easy. In my discomfort, I'm either feel crushed by the weight of the world, or like an inflated balloon on the verge of bursting! Some days I want to scream and shout in my affliction, and other days I want to cry in pure agony. I'd even contemplate trading the current distress with physical pain, because then I might get it to go away!

No matter what we face, how ugly or hard, I believe there are reasons for our discomfort; a purpose for the unwanted pain. Just think, before someone can run a marathon, they have to prepare and train by eating a certain diet, running longer distances, and staying disciplined. They have to stay hydrated and well fueled, rest and recover, all with the risk of possible injury. While training, the marathon trainer puts all their muscles to the test. Their body and heart have to go the distance, to ensure that on the day of the marathon, they make it to the finish line. In life, there are events in which we have to practice, train, or work hard. You could be trying to lose weight or study for an exam. Maybe you're you're a stay-at-home mom, or disabled. Each task/life comes with its own challenges and hardships, and there are days that are harder than others. Whatever it is, before you can accomplish or finish something, there is work and there is pain.

If you want to climb to the top of Mount Everest, you will have challenges and even risks. Climbing a mountain is intense, difficult on the body and mind, and draining. It's dangerous, and your legs and body could give out on you, and a possibility of death. There's also the snow and cold you have to prepare for, and be aware of elevation. As you climb higher, your oxygen levels decrease. Avalanche, falling rocks, and whiteouts are just a few of the other dangers; and if you get to the top, there are also hazards on the way down. Now listen,  I am not planning to run a marathon, nor do I have any desire to climb Mount Everest. I am simply comparing our everyday life challenges to those seeking to accomplish tasks that require training and dedication: blood, sweat, and tears! But know this, the discomfort we face does not have to be in vain! Don't discredit discomfort. It's difficult, but I believe there's always something to learn or gain from our problems. I believe God has a purpose. Whether it's to strengthen, change, teach, slow us down, or just an opportunity to love on us. Whatever it is, I trust that, if we're willing, the discomfort will lead us to Christ. In our seasons of suffering or pain, God is always an option. He is always available. Whenever I go through tough things, they always direct me back to Christ. I know I can't do life without him. Life naturally comes with a lot of distractions and ways to take our eyes off of Jesus. It isn't until we are broken and shattered, or find ourselves without options and in desperate need him, that we cry out to him again.

I know someone who God has done amazing things for; God literally saved her from death! After she gave her life to Christ, she was full of love, life, and zeal for God. She prayed often, sang songs of worship, read the Bible, attended church, and shared the Gospel, as well as all God had done for her. A few years passed, and her life became busy with other things. Little by little, she began to leave God. She stopped going to church and eventually stopped reading the Bible. Not long after, her prayers became weak and scarce. Life continued and she experienced some hard things in life, to which I'm sure she prayed, but after the problems passed, she'd go back to her normal routine. One day, she and her spouse got into a massive argument. She was clearly upset, and shed many tears. After she had calmed down, she went to her room, shut the door, and began to listen to a sermon on YouTube. I am not sure if she prayed or not, but seeing that gave me such a strong conviction. God reminded me that it isn't until our hearts are broken or our worlds badly shaken, that we (sometimes) seek God.

Some of us don't though. We struggle with asking God for help. We may think He's too busy, or that our issues are too small. We think we are holy enough or that God would never answer us, but that isn't so. God is patiently waiting for us to ask him for help. Some of us won't pray, and constantly ask others to pray. Don't get me wrong, I'm always willing and love to pray for others, but I believe God is saying to some of you, that you need to pray for yourself. You have the same ability to go to God, just like any of us! I ask for prayer often, but not unless I go to God myself. What is preventing you from praying or giving your troubles to God? We can't always rely on someone else's faith or prayers to get us through. We each have our own race to run, our own mountain to climb, our own faith to grow.

Before I gave my life back to Christ in 2010, I had seasons when I was miserable, seasons of just going through the motions, and seasons when I was barely surviving. Nothing truly got better, but I could get through most days. Then came the day everything fell apart, I was at the end of myself, and all else failed. I was out of options. I'm here to tell you that there's an easier way. I don't know why you are going through what you are going through, but I do know that it would be easier with God. Will you let Him help, what have you got to lose?

Jesus was mocked, ridiculed, beaten and abused, and nailed to a cross to die. Don't you think he would understand your discomfort, pain, and suffering? Jesus is not ignorant or oblivious to your pain. I encourage you to turn to him. Hebrews 12:1-3 says  And let us run  with perseverance  the race marked out for us,  2  fixing our eyes on Jesus,  the pioneer  and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,  scorning its shame,  and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Acts 8:32-33 goes on to say He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so He did not open His mouth.  In His humiliation He was deprived of justice.  Though Jesus suffered to the point of death, he did not open his mouth; He willingly and lovingly endured until his death, so that we could know God's love, mercy, forgiveness, and grace.

If you're like me, you may have questioned the purpose of your suffering, but don't stop there. Ask God to help you! What can you learn? What can you gain from this season? Is God growing, stretching, or refining you? Zechariah 13:9 says  And I will bring the third part through the fire, Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested They will call on My name, And I will answer them; I will say, 'They are My people,' And they will say, 'The LORD is my God,  and  Psalm 66:10-12  For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; You laid an oppressive burden upon our loins. You made men ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water, Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.  You see, even if you can't see a purpose for your pain, remember that the pain is only momentarily; you will come out stronger. Call upon the LORD, and tell Him of all of your troubles. Seek His face. He can hydrate and fuel you, give you rest, help you recover, endure, persevere, climb higher, and finish the race! Your discomfort may just be what brings you into a deeper and intimate relationship with the loving Savior.

Let us pray.

GOOD LORD, 

Thank You for this message and the readers. Anoint this message and use it to speak to the hearts of you children. Let us not be overcome or consumed by our pain or   troubles. Let us use it as an opportunity to run into Your loving arms. Whatever the enemy intends for bad, use it for good, LORD. I pray that the readers would not go through another hardship or devastation before they invite you to be a part of their lives. Go to them, and let them encounter You personally. Give them ears, eyes, understanding, and a heart to know Your love and truth. Show them that they are not alone or abandoned, but that You stand at their door and knock. All they have to do is let You in. Holy Spirit, begin moving into their lives and hearts. Reveal the loving Father to them. Calm their fears, worries, and anxiety. Give them peace and comfort. Liberate them, set them free, wipe their tears, take their burden, break the yokes and bonds. I lift them all up to you right now in Jesus' holy name, amen. All praise belongs to You, thank You LORD.

Prayerfully,

Pam