Comfort and Following Jesus

Sorry, the two don’t go together.

There are verses about comforting. There are verses that offer comfort. But there are no verses about following Jesus being comfortable.

There are times when we need to be comforted. Those are times when we are afflicted. There are plenty of people who are oppressed and exploited around the world — those folks need to hear a message of comfort. And God does comfort the afflicted.

But no where in Scripture does it tell us that following Jesus will be comfortable.

In fact, there are plenty of places in Scripture that tell us the exact opposite. We hear Jesus tell us that we are to pick up our cross, die daily, and follow him. That’s not comfortable. We are told that those who follow Jesus will be reviled. We’re told how Jesus really doesn’t like lukewarm followers — those that claim to follow Jesus, but the actions don’t match the rhetoric.

Following Jesus is not comfortable. I haven’t had a comfortable day since I really followed Jesus. Yes, I’ve had joy. I’ve had contentment. I’ve had peace. But I have never been comfortable in following Jesus.

I think part of this has to do with the fact that following Jesus is about growing. Growth is uncomfortable. I’d go so far as to say there is no growth without discomfort. Doesn’t matter if you…