Discomfort is a good thing, really.
A few weeks ago someone told me that a song we sang made them uncomfortable. This wasn't a complaint. It was a thoughtful conversation opener.
There was imagery in the song that he didn't relate to. Frankly, it was imagery I don't relate easily to either. But it was very biblical imagery. About sacrifice and God's wrath. And truth is it's not easy for me to relate to because I've never sacrificed an animal. (Although a goat was sacrificed in my honor once, but that's another story....)
The more I thought about it though, the more I am convinced that SOMEtimes, being uncomfortable with an image or a thought or a person is a good thing. Not the kind of un-comfortable where you are freaked out because someone is doing something horrible or saying something offensive. But the kind of uncomfortable when you just can't relate.
There was imagery in the song that he didn't relate to. Frankly, it was imagery I don't relate easily to either. But it was very biblical imagery. About sacrifice and God's wrath. And truth is it's not easy for me to relate to because I've never sacrificed an animal. (Although a goat was sacrificed in my honor once, but that's another story....)
The more I thought about it though, the more I am convinced that SOMEtimes, being uncomfortable with an image or a thought or a person is a good thing. Not the kind of un-comfortable where you are freaked out because someone is doing something horrible or saying something offensive. But the kind of uncomfortable when you just can't relate.
In these situations maybe there is a challenge thrown down that growth would be a good plan.
I read a challenging thought on this recently in reference to people who confront us...
If you're insulating yourself from someone or something who benefits?
I read a challenging thought on this recently in reference to people who confront us...
Who looks you in the eye and says, "given your skills, you could do better..."Truth is it takes courage, love and kindness to bring the truth to a friend. It takes great courage and confidence to seek out experiences and images that we struggle with. But that's how we grow. We stretch beyond our comfort zones and strive to learn. Sometimes we find we love the new image over time and it becomes very meaningful. Sometimes, even after prolonged exposure, we still can't relate, but we start to understand better why. Either way - we've grown and we are better Christians because of it.
"You have enough leverage to really make a difference."
"What would happen if you doubled the amount you donated?"
"Could you set aside the fear and go faster?"
"I know you're holding back..."
If you're insulating yourself from someone or something who benefits?
