I’ve been thinking about how easy it is to confuse comfort with the peace of God.... We pray for God to lead us, use us, grow us, and make us more like Jesus, but sometimes when His answer requires surrender, sacrifice, obedience, or stepping into something unfamiliar, we immediately assume something must be wrong. But when I look at Scripture, I don’t see a God who was primarily concerned with keeping His people comfortable.... He told Abraham to leave what he knew. He called Peter out of the boat. He asked the disciples to leave behind the lives they had built and follow Him. He sent His followers into places where obedience would cost them something. And Jesus Himself made it very clear that following Him involves denying ourselves and taking up our cross. I think sometimes we have become so accustomed to measuring God’s goodness by how comfortable our lives feel that we forget He is far more concerned with our transformation than our convenience. That doesn’t mean every hard thing is from God and it doesn’t mean we should glorify suffering or intentionally make life difficult. But it does mean discomfort isn’t automatically a sign that we’re outside of God’s will. Sometimes obedience is uncomfortable. Sometimes growth is uncomfortable. Sometimes healing is uncomfortable. Sometimes God exposes things in us that we would rather leave untouched. Sometimes He asks us to move before we feel ready, speak when we would rather stay quiet, forgive when it hurts, give when we would rather hold tightly, go when staying would be easier, or trust Him when we cannot see what comes next. And maybe the question isn’t always, “God, how do I get out of this uncomfortable place?” Maybe sometimes the question needs to be: “Lord, what are You trying to produce in me here?” Because following Jesus was never supposed to be about constructing the safest, easiest version of Christianity possible. It was always about surrender. When was the last time following Jesus genuinely stretched you?

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 Have you not heard my voice nor heeded my instruction? Do not despise the rod of my correction for it is a reminder of the love I have for you. Be strong in the things that are before you be courageous when I say to step out for I will not let you fall. This is the time of the door where things will begin to open. The keys will surely fit. What once once locked shall be made open thus says the Lord be strong and courageous for I am walking alongside you into these places and new territories, into new spaces among new faces. Do all that I command, heed to my instruction. Keep your eyes fixated on me and you shall see my glory. Again I say to not despise the rod of correction for it is in the fire of correction that I will forge you into exactly who I’ve called you to be. Surrender and consecrate yourself before me. 2/22/26 6:02 am Halie Asmus