Food for Faith: Stop Treating Discomfort Like an Emergency Recently, my church is in a series called “God meant it for Good,” discussing the deeper, meaningful purposed of obstacles, challenges and hard times. Today, I was reflecting on some of the comments and questions I’ve received from you, and this seemed particularly relevant. One of the most impactful statements I have heard from my pastor is this: “God is not interested in your comfort. He is interested in your character.” At first glance, that sounds harsh. Most of us spend our lives trying to become more comfortable. We pursue comfort financially. We pursue comfort physically. We pursue comfort emotionally. We pursue comfort in our relationships. We pursue comfort in our schedules. We pursue comfort in our health. We assume that comfort is the reward. But Scripture paints a very different picture. Romans 5:3-4 tells us: “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Notice what God says produces character. Not comfort. Not convenience. Not easy circumstances. Not getting our way. Suffering. Difficulty. Resistance. Challenges. The very things most of us spend our lives trying to avoid. The Great Illusion of Control One of the greatest sources of suffering in modern life is our belief that we are somehow entitled to control the outcome. We want life to go according to our plan. We want our timeline. We want our expectations. We want our preferred outcome. And when life refuses to cooperate, we become frustrated, angry, anxious, discouraged, or fearful. But Scripture repeatedly reminds us that we are not in control. Isaiah 55:8-9 says: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. The truth is that God does not operate according to our timeline. He does not ask our permission before allowing challenges into our lives. He does not consult our comfort level before developing our character.