Does God Want Us to Be Uncomfortable?

I love the Amplified Bible’s translation of John 14:26; it says, “But the [a]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.” These were the words of Jesus as He talked about the Holy Spirit. Here Jesus is explaining that the Holy Spirit, the one that lives inside of us, is our comforter. He is our helper.

Yet there are many people who believe that, “God doesn’t want you to be comfortable.” This is one of those Christian phrases that can be confusing. So what does it mean? I believe many people think that a, “comfortable Christian” is one who reclines in his lazy chair, kicks off his shoes, and waits for heaven to arrive. I understand that laziness is a negative thing, but that is not what, “comfortable” means.

Some see this as meaning, “Not willing to witness and evangelize.” Yet I’m not sure that is the accurate definition. I can be comfortable and evangelize at the same time. These are not polar opposites. It is the reality that I am secure in my beliefs that I share the gospel.

Even one of the most popular Bible passages explain that God is our shepherd, “…Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me…” (Psalms 23:4). If God doesn’t call us to be comfortable then why would He comfort us? Obviously it is not a bad thing.

There are times when God calls to do a task where we may feel awkward or uncomfortable, but that does not mean, “God doesn’t want us to be comfortable!” It means that a greater goal had to be accomplished. If God calls me to build a bench, I will sweat and work to do it. Yet this does not mean, “God wants you to sweat.” It is a negative result of needing to complete a task.

When you evangelize, allow the Holy Spirit to give you confidence. Let Him use you as a vessel to speak God’s Word! This is what the Holy Spirit is called to do. The Holy Spirit is not an, “it.” The Bible describes him as a, “He.” What does He do? The Scriptures tells us, “But the [a]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby)” (John 14:26).

The main point is this, we need to be more specific. It’s good to feel confident in yourself. Sometimes us Christians feel the need to love everyone but hate ourselves. I’m here to tell you, be yourself. Feel comfortable knowing the Holy Spirit is with you. Sometimes God calls us to do things that are uncomfortable; yet in the midst of those moment, He is there to comfort us!