“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
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
JOB 16-18
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
Paul is stricken with blindness, his whole world is turned upside down. 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.”
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.
The way out is through...most of scripture is counter intuitive...the reality is that most things in life are that way as well. This often goes against our culture and some would say our nature. I know I initially look for the easiest and quickest way out of a painful circumstance or experience. Sometimes the easy way is the best way, yet most of the time, it isn't. The way out of suffering most often is to suffer.
What's interesting is that it is also the path of true lasting success. Because it usually requires difficult work, sacrifice, frustration and some type of opposition. It requires persisting in the midst of doubt and adversity. It also usually requires persisting when many bystanders would say it's time to quit. Essentially every story in the Bible somewhat follows this path...guess that's why it's called the "narrow path", and why "many are called but few are chosen".
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.
The way out is through...most of scripture is counter intuitive...the reality is that most things in life are that way as well. This often goes against our culture and some would say our nature. I know I initially look for the easiest and quickest way out of a painful circumstance or experience. Sometimes the easy way is the best way, yet most of the time, it isn't. The way out of suffering most often is to suffer.
What's interesting is that it is also the path of true lasting success. Because it usually requires difficult work, sacrifice, frustration and some type of opposition. It requires persisting in the midst of doubt and adversity. It also usually requires persisting when many bystanders would say it's time to quit. Essentially every story in the Bible somewhat follows this path...guess that's why it's called the "narrow path", and why "many are called but few are chosen".
Yet suffering absolutely can be joyful, when you know that the suffering is for a purpose. The purpose of my life is to be and to create outposts of God's Kingdom. To do so requires that I persevere, work hard, take chances and always love. It requires that I see each day as a miraculous opportunity to do good work, love others and build outposts.
JAMES 1:2-4
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