Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable is a Deeper Waters post, kind of like a mini-Bible Study and I know it will really challenge your faith and inspire you to trust God with more of your life. I really encourage you to download and use a Soul H2O Journal Page to help you get the most out of this post and draw from the MANY Scripture references in the Drawing From The Well section at the bottom.

Soul H2O Deeper Waters

Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

Last weekend Todd and I both spoke at a Pechakucha Night put on by his amazing friend, Andy Vasily.

If you’ve never heard of Pechakucha, it’s a gathering of friends designed by renowned architects Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham where presenters share a 6 minute, 40 speech with 20 slides that change automatically every 20 seconds.

Let me just say, It’s a challenge. Even though I love presenting and even get paid for speaking, I saw this as a challenge. Believe it or not, speaking longer is actually easier than speaking for such a short time, trying to memorize so your words match the image on the screen was a challenge for me, especially when I was a month past due for my B12 shot!

Both Todd and I had an incredible time at the event and heard some amazing speeches. We both got a little lost in our slides at times (like many people did), but at the end felt better for the experience and know we could improve next time.

Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone

Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is a good thing and, if you want to follow God, you’ve got to get comfortable being uncomfortable.

Taking a look how Jesus discipled his followers should be our big tip-off to reveal this about Christ’s character. Take the disciples’ experience in Matthew 14 for example.

From Feeding To Floating To Sinking—Then Walking on Water

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dispersed the crowds.
Matthew 14:22-33 ESV

Peter and the boys had been helping Jesus run a missional event where they got to take part in the miraculous feeding of 5000 people! Even before the crowd was gone, Jesus directed the disciples to get to the other side, making them go by way of the water, in a boat. Soon after, the wind and waves began to batter the boat and they feared for their lives.

Now before you start that Oh, Jesus wouldn’t have been so pushy and made them go into a potentially life-threatening circumstance, let me help you understand the original wording of this verse in Greek. Anagkazó is what many many Bible versions translate as “made, insisted, compelled, constrained, or directed” could just as easily been translated as “forced” since Strong’s Concordance and other Bible Dictionaries say the word means “to force, compel, constrain, urge”.

Jesus didn’t come to make you comfortable; He came to make you a brave witness.

Jesus isn’t concerned with your comfort level and is completely comfortable, making you uncomfortable.

Once Jesus led them to a place where their faith could be tested, this is the place where Peter’s faith rose to the level of confidence in God’s strength where he was able to walk on water. Ya, he did allow fear to creep back in and started to sink again but this faith-building exercise is what I believe God used to help construct a foundation of faith in Peter that would one-day grow so strong that he pushed through and preached, leading thousands upon thousands to faith in Christ.

Jesus Is Totally Fine With You Feeling Uncomfortable

The reality is, if you don’t get stretched, you don’t grow. When God allows your circumstances to push you beyond your natural limits, that’s when His ‘super’natural kicks into gear. You can trust you have what it takes to pass through these troubled waters, just like the disciples did because God clearly believes you can!

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

You don’t have to walk in your own strength, God’s offering His to you each day. Be like Peter, step out of the boat and get comfortable being uncomfortable, the water’s just fine!

Prayer

Father… Thank you for all the examples in the Bible of flawed people, just like me, overcoming difficulties and reaching their destiny. Help me to get get comfortable being uncomfortable, so I don’t miss out on watching your strength displayed in my life, leading others to put their faith in you when times get tough.
In Jesus Name…Amen

Verses to help fill up your well.

This post has a deep well and I hope you’ll keep drawing up the refreshing until you’re OVERflowing!

1. Matthew 14:22-33
2. Acts 10:34
3. Joshua 1:9
4. Job 1:6-12
5. Exodus 13:17-18
6. Deuteronomy 1:7
7. 2 Timothy 1:7
8. John 15:16
9. Proverbs 3:5-6
10. Philippians 4:13
11. Jeremiah 29:11
12. James 1:22
13. Mark 16:15
14. Isaiah 42:16
15. Matthew 16:24
16. Deuteronomy 33:25

Soul H2O Resources

http://www.soulh2o.com/28

Seasons Of Growth In Adversity | EP #28

Seasons of Growth In Adversity features a powerful teaching and three interviews with my hubby Todd, daughter Shelby and mentor Peggy Kennedy, sharing about their seasons of growth.