JUNE 29, 2017

“The comfort zone is a psychological state in which one feels familiar, safe, at ease, and secure.

If you always do what is easy and choose the path of least resistance, you never step outside your comfort zone. Great things don’t come from comfort zones.” 
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

JOB 16-18

1My spirit is broken,

my days are cut short,

the grave awaits me.

2Surely mockers surround me;

my eyes must dwell on their hostility.(17:1-2)

ACTS 9:1-22

11The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

15But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

JOURNAL 

The way out is through...Everything about scripture is counterintuitive...the reality is that most things in life are that way as well. So often in my own life I have looked for the easy way out...in many way I have longed for it at times. When you encounter suffering and pain...the logical choice is to avoid it or remedy the pain as quickly as possible. However most often the true way out of pain is to go through more pain. The way out of suffering is to suffer. 

Job is in the place where the only thing that looks appealing is an end to his suffering. His heart is broken, he feels betrayed, he is all alone, no one understands and things seem to just keep getting worse. So what's the answer? Escape, manipulation, capitulation...? Nope...the answer is to keep suffering, the answer is to keep wading through. This seems crazy, yet it is the path of God, it is the path of Christ and it is the path of the Kingdom.

What's interesting is that it is also the path of true Greatness. For true greatness only happens through testing, pain and suffering. True greatness only happens when an individual endures immeasurable pain and sees it through to the other side. Any great accomplishment is only great because of the price paid to achieve it.  The price of pain and suffering. 

Here, God saddles Paul with this gift...as a result Paul will be transformed, yet his transformation comes through his suffering...16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^a whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

JAMES 1:2-4