Discomfort.... This word makes me uncomfortable. You too, huh? :( Discomfort can take on many different varieties, but I'm specifically talking today about the kind in interpersonal relationships. You know, social interactions either at work or play. Sometimes these discomforts arise from conflicts in relationships or disagreements over decisions, etc. Have you ever been in a situation so uncomfortable that you wish you could remove your stomach and it's contents and hang it on a hook somewhere until whatever uncomfortable thing is OVER? Ooooohhh, or maybe insert an IV drip of muscle relaxers into the back of your neck. Yeah, me too.... By the way, I don't know if muscle relaxers come in an IV drip insert-able to the neck, so please don't quote me. It just sounded good when my neck hurt the other day. ;)
I have a situation I'm dealing with right now and the choice I make will do one of two things at the most basic level - it will either make me miserable or it will make others mad which in turn, will also make me miserable, it's just that one is temporary and the first is long-term. Sounds very simple when you lay it out like that. Simple? Yes. Easy? Not so much. So, I have to decide which one is the road I'd like to take. Sigh.
I just wonder if there's anything productive that can come from discomfort? Well, let's see about that, shall we? What can come from discomfort?
1. Growth. Whoever said growth was easy? Nope, it's not. That's why its called growing pains.
2. Appreciation. If I spend a certain amount of time uncomfortable, then I appreciate the times of peace even more.
3. Dependence...... on my Lord. When things are always okay, I find that I let my time in God's Word slip. If I have situations that cause discomfort, then I am reminded of my need for Him and His daily rule in my life.
A friend quoted her dad one day as saying, "People don't have to like ya as long as you're doing what's right." I just wanted to say, "But I want people to like me!" That's the crux of it, isn't it? I want to please people. I want them to like me. I want them to speak well of me. I want them to admire me. I want them to... Oh I don't know, vote for me for president some day? No, I don't want to be president, but you get the general idea. Okay, where were we? Well, the way I see it, there's another word for all these wants..... Pride.
Mmmm.... Ouch.
Pride makes me want to please people and not God.
Ouch again.
When I consider this point, I am sad. I am convicted. I am a teeny bit embarrassed. I shouldn't value people's opinions of me to the point that it dictates my behavior. I should make decisions for appropriate reasons. So, I will consider the following:
1. Is this decision in the best interests of me and my family? Ultimately, they are the most important people in my life and most affected by decisions, so I should consider them first.
2. Is it illegal or immoral? Hopefully, this answer would be NO.
3. Is it something that is "worth" a bit of a struggle. By this, I mean, is the decision worth a cold shoulder or two (if that's even what your discomfort looks like) or is it something you should let go? Not because you are people-pleasing, but because you know how to pick your battles and you don't pick EVERY battle because being THAT strong-willed is emotionally unhealthy and mentally imbalanced.
4. I started to ask myself if it would bring me happiness, but well, that's a moot point when you're a believer because I don't believe that God's ultimate goal is for us to be happy. It's for us to be right with Him. So, will this make me / keep me right with Him or will it pull me away?
Now, you might have more questions that are specific to your situation, but these are the basics for me that I need to answer. So, I challenge you today to live out the discomfort. I know it's uncomfortable. I know it's awkward. I know you don't like the silence. I know your stomach hurts. I know your neck is achy. I know you can't sleep. But, ask yourself.... Is the discomfort for a good reason? Are you pleasing God? Can you grow or learn from the experience? If your answer is yes..... Well....... Then.... We know what we have to do, don't we? If you'll pray for me, I'll pray for you.
Sincerely,
Fitchie :)
I have a situation I'm dealing with right now and the choice I make will do one of two things at the most basic level - it will either make me miserable or it will make others mad which in turn, will also make me miserable, it's just that one is temporary and the first is long-term. Sounds very simple when you lay it out like that. Simple? Yes. Easy? Not so much. So, I have to decide which one is the road I'd like to take. Sigh.
I just wonder if there's anything productive that can come from discomfort? Well, let's see about that, shall we? What can come from discomfort?
1. Growth. Whoever said growth was easy? Nope, it's not. That's why its called growing pains.
2. Appreciation. If I spend a certain amount of time uncomfortable, then I appreciate the times of peace even more.
3. Dependence...... on my Lord. When things are always okay, I find that I let my time in God's Word slip. If I have situations that cause discomfort, then I am reminded of my need for Him and His daily rule in my life.
A friend quoted her dad one day as saying, "People don't have to like ya as long as you're doing what's right." I just wanted to say, "But I want people to like me!" That's the crux of it, isn't it? I want to please people. I want them to like me. I want them to speak well of me. I want them to admire me. I want them to... Oh I don't know, vote for me for president some day? No, I don't want to be president, but you get the general idea. Okay, where were we? Well, the way I see it, there's another word for all these wants..... Pride.
Mmmm.... Ouch.
Pride makes me want to please people and not God.
Ouch again.
When I consider this point, I am sad. I am convicted. I am a teeny bit embarrassed. I shouldn't value people's opinions of me to the point that it dictates my behavior. I should make decisions for appropriate reasons. So, I will consider the following:
1. Is this decision in the best interests of me and my family? Ultimately, they are the most important people in my life and most affected by decisions, so I should consider them first.
2. Is it illegal or immoral? Hopefully, this answer would be NO.
3. Is it something that is "worth" a bit of a struggle. By this, I mean, is the decision worth a cold shoulder or two (if that's even what your discomfort looks like) or is it something you should let go? Not because you are people-pleasing, but because you know how to pick your battles and you don't pick EVERY battle because being THAT strong-willed is emotionally unhealthy and mentally imbalanced.
4. I started to ask myself if it would bring me happiness, but well, that's a moot point when you're a believer because I don't believe that God's ultimate goal is for us to be happy. It's for us to be right with Him. So, will this make me / keep me right with Him or will it pull me away?
Now, you might have more questions that are specific to your situation, but these are the basics for me that I need to answer. So, I challenge you today to live out the discomfort. I know it's uncomfortable. I know it's awkward. I know you don't like the silence. I know your stomach hurts. I know your neck is achy. I know you can't sleep. But, ask yourself.... Is the discomfort for a good reason? Are you pleasing God? Can you grow or learn from the experience? If your answer is yes..... Well....... Then.... We know what we have to do, don't we? If you'll pray for me, I'll pray for you.
Sincerely,
Fitchie :)