Today, we are going to stretch. There’s going to be some discomfort in this stretch. Don’t fight the stretch; embrace the discomfort!
As a writer, I constantly jot ideas down on post-it notes. After a while, they take over my desk or purse, so I collect them and put them in my desk drawer. Occasionally, I read through them. This morning I remembered one I wrote last year. So, I searched. Sure enough, I found it inside my desk drawer.
I guess today is the day I pull this one out and write about it.
Don’t Fight the Stretch; Embrace the Discomfort!
Got to give credit where’s credit is due. I first heard this great advice from a BODi (formally BeachBody) yoga instructor name Vytas. I was doing a stretch video because my muscles were so tight. Let me just say, while these stretches were basic stretches, they caused discomfort.
When Vytas coached, “Don’t fight the stretch; embrace the discomfort” my mindset shifted from complaining to something positive. While feeling the stretch’s discomfort, I realized there are a lot of things in life we can apply this advice to. If we just don’t fight the stretch, and we allow ourselves to feel the discomfort, we can settle in and let discomfort help us grow.
But when we feel discomfort from being stretched, and then we decide to give up, we lose the reward of the stretch.
Spiritual Growth Causes Discomfort
This November New Challenge is stretching me. It’s not easy writing every day and not knowing what each day’s topic will be. Plus, all the extra things that go into publishing a blog post such as editing, creating an image, preparing links, and making sure the SEO and readability are good.
It’s challenging me, but it’s also stretching me. I’ve almost given up a few times, but instead of fighting it, I’ve decided to embrace the discomfort.
The same goes for our spiritual growth. Jesus wants us to grow and mature. Therefore, sometimes the Lord stretches us through trials and suffering. While we are in the suffering stretch, He’s coaching us to embrace the discomfort. Don’t give up the fight. Keep walking forward.
Listen to the words of Isaiah.
“Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:20-21, NIV
And James coaches us in the same way. Don’t fight the stretch; embrace the discomfort because there is a reward.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4, NIV
Friend, whatever trial or suffering you may be experiencing, don’t fight the stretch; embrace the discomfort! God has a reason for this trial. Let discomfort finish its work so that you may receive the reward Jesus has for you. No matter how long it takes.
Blessing
May you embrace the discomfort the Lord has placed in your life. May you be willing to stretch and not give up. May the Lord bless you abundantly for your perseverance. May Jesus be glorified because of your faithfulness.
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