“Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 

– Matthew 14:28-29

As Americans, we like to evaluate aspects of our life based on comfort. Can we live and retire financially comfortable? When we get home from a long day, we like to change into clothes that are more comfortable. We choose a mattress based on comfort level. When we are having a hard day, we crave comfort food. Many Christian’s seek out and select a church that extends a level of comfort that they deem acceptable.

From a Biblical perspective, we see something very different. We don’t need to look any further than the New Testament to see that commitment to Christ and purposefully walking with Him actually brought the disciples to a place of worldly discomfort. Willingly, they gave up their home, their occupation, their cultural identity, not to mention personal safety and security. The teachings of Jesus in regards to following Him were upfront, a servant leader lifestyle engulfed in Christ, led by the Holy Spirit and contrary, even in opposition to the world.

The Biblical standard for following Jesus remains the same over two thousand years later. 

For us today, we may face different challenges and situations, however they must lead us to the same point. This includes a place of wonderful discomfort.

Dying to ourselves moves us into a place where we can truly live for Christ. Our flesh takes a stand here and the battle can be harsh and distressing. It really is a place of wonderful discomfort. And then, in a similar fashion, there is the lordship issue. To come under the lordship of Jesus goes beyond taming the flesh and means we do the things Jesus commands us to do. 

The choice to obey brings a wonderful discomfort into our lives. The conviction of the Holy Spirit is never painless. He lovingly shows us our sin, our disobedience and those things we need to bring before Christ. As hard as conviction is to face and respond to, it is always wonderful discomfort. Sometimes we struggle in prayer. When our heart is broken or we are in despair, when anxiety seeks to strangle us, when anger or uncertainty seems to abound, it can be hard to go before the Lord. But we know we need to. What a wonderful time of discomfort because we know that He is always there, always waiting for us.

Then there are the Kingdom decisions that we face throughout our life. The opportunities that the Lord places before us. These are the times we have to make a choice. A choice to follow where He is leading, even if it brings displeasure or uncertainty. It’s okay, even normal to wrestle with God before making a decision. The wonderful discomfort in these times brings clarity and commitment. 

When Peter chose to step out of the boat, it was a wonderfully uncomfortable experience. Choosing to trust in Jesus despite a lifetime of living on the sea and understanding the water. Instead of trusting his years of experience, Peter had to unlearn his reliance upon himself and choose to trust Jesus. That’s wonderfully uncomfortable. Stepping out of the boat onto and not into the sea. There is a wonderfully uncomfortable experience when the uncertainty in yourself intersects with the unlimited confidence and ability of God. It is a place that even though we have full trust in the Lord, we have to reconcile it within ourselves. It is a place of choice that often leads us into the realm of the wonderfully uncomfortable.