Choosing Discomfort

Where do you go for comfort? When nothing seems to be in control and you need some sense of normalcy, what do you turn to? 

I asked this question earlier this week after wanting to check out and shut down. I wanted to eat, even though I wasn’t hungry. I kept checking my phone, even though there was nothing to check. And for hours I fought the urge to turn on the tv before I finally gave in and watched Gilmore Girls. The whole day felt like a battle between my flesh and my spirit. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

On the World Race we are very intentional about practicing Sabbath, but Sabbath doesn’t feel normal. After growing up in a culture where we always have to be doing something, finding a rhythm of rest is not easy. But the point in sabbath is to rest with the Lord, to spend time with Him. “Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you have fallen short of it.” Hebrews 4:1

I think part of the reason we don’t stop moving is because we don’t want to hear our thoughts. We don’t want to think about that person we haven’t forgiven, or that conversation we’ve been avoiding, or that we have no idea what the next season of life will look like. We run away from hard things by staying busy so we don’t have to deal with them. 

But when we slow down enough to feel and think, it allows the Lord room to come into those spaces and bring healing. The purpose of Sabbath is to slow down long enough to encounter God deeply. It’s no surprise that the day I wanted to shut down was our day of Sabbath. When we shut off our emotions, we deny intimacy with God. 

After struggling for the majority of the day I finally asked Jesus about it. He reminded me that I’ve asked Him to take me into deeper communion and holiness with Him. This is not an easy process. It can be painful and reveal the realities of human limitations, which can cause discomfort. We’ve been given the Holy Spirit to help and comfort us, but we have to be uncomfortable in order for Him to comfort. How human of me to ask the Lord to take me deeper and then pull away when He does! “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14: 26-27

 

It’s in discomfort that we get to commune with the Lord. And what better place is there to be? 

 

Relying on others to support me has been a major area of discomfort. But I’m so blessed to share that I am fully funded! You’ll see at the top of my blog that my fundraising bar is full. Thank you for donating, praying, encouraging, and helping with fundraisers. 

I have just over a month left on the field and I still need support with personal funding. Any donations go toward my bills (health insurance, Doctor, etc.), supplements, dietary needs, and any unexpected costs. 

 

During the month of October I am partnering with Keys for the Journey. They make hand-stamped keys that represent a season or area of growth in your life. You wear it until the Lord tells you to pass it on to someone else. My favorite is their prophetic key-they pray for a word or a verse and it’s a surprise when it comes in the mail! So many of you ordered this last fall and loved it! To order go to this website and choose my name when you checkout: https://www.keysforthejourney.com/

 

To support me directly you can send donations here:

Venmo: @lwatts91

Paypal: paypal.me/lwatts91

Cashapp: $lwatts91

 

As always, please let me know how I can be praying for you!