Listening For God’s Voice When You’re Uncomfortable

Can we just talk about being uncomfortable?

I don’t care if it’s physical, emotional, or spiritual. Getting uncomfortable is just not comfortable. 

I’ve been uncomfortable for a few weeks PHYSICALLY with this galbladder. I’m thankful they figured out what it is and I’ll have surgery. But the random side pains, sharp jabs, nausea haven’t been very fun. 

You know how when you’re in pain you are also kinda grumpy?

Yeah, I’ve been there with this too. 

I can sense that the Lord is working on something in me that is even deeper than this physical issue. I can sense that as I let go of this gal bladder there is something in a relationship that he’s trying to get me to let go of and I have a feeling when this thing comes out, I’m going to be balling my brains out from all that pent up emotion. 

I’ve been trying to work through it as it comes, but there is definitely more. So I’m just trying to do what a friend of mine in recovery always say, “Meredith we have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

It’s like the leaves falling. You can pretend you don’t see the colors changing but they are. You can pretend CHANGE isn’t coming. But it does. Change is coming and you can’t change it. So you might as well roll with it and let God do what he wants to do in the midst of it. 

Why? Because Jesus is our great comforter. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 reminds us of this…

Praise BE to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Amen, right?

But he doesn’t want us to stay comfortable. He wants us to be willing to get uncomfortable so He can show His glory. He wants to remind us he is there and He’s in charge. It’s a GOOD thing when our weakness is displayed, because it gives us the chance to show our reliance on HIM. 

FEAR is something many people have when the idea of going into surgery approaches. But I have seen what the Lord has done in the last few surgeries I’ve had. He’s carried me right through to physical healing, restoration (In HIS time, I might add) and often emotional and spiritual healing because of it. 

So I trust what Joshua 1:9 says, “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.”

I know He’ll be with me and I pray he’ll be with every one who cares for me that day.

#Godstiming

But here’s something important I wanted to share about the amazing fact of God’s timing. I SO believe because I’ve seen it all over our life, that often He has to do something in one area of our life so we can prepared for something else in our lives in a better way, so we can go through it stronger with Him.

#seasons #grief #loss

I saw it happen when Mike and I went through this season of tremendous losses in our lives. He lost his uncle and life mentor one year. A year later I lost my Dad and two years later He lost his dad. (And those weren’t the only ones). It seemed that God kept removing these male role Models in MIke’s life and in my life too, so that we can come to our fullest dependence on Him. But we would say in that season of deep grief and pain that each one was preparation for the next. God prepared us. He stayed close to us in the midst of that storm that felt like it would never end.

#food recovery

I was just telling someone the other day who I walk the food recovery road with how I would not be feeling this same way if this happened 3 years ago or more. I would have been worried about what was in my diet that wasn’t working, how I was going to have to change it, and beating myself up for not eating well. But GOD DID SOMETHING.

#healing #restoration

On April ___ 2020, he brought me out of this place with food that restored my clarity and dependence on Him to which without any effort except to focus on him, I’ve lost about 40 pounds. I do NOT share that to brag. I share that to GIVE HIM GLORY.HE is the one who did this. I just obeyed his guiding. HE is the one that brought me out of an unhealthier place and RESTORED my body and soul. And that’s just what he does.

#godbringsusthroughthestorms

He brings us THROUGH a storm, STIRS THINGS UP, makes us UNCOMFORTABLE, and then reveals His power in our lives. The Lord is revealing his power in my life right now. I’m going into this surgery with a clear mind, body and spirit trusting that He’s doing it for a reason and SO BEYOND GRATEFUL that he did what he did with my food so I can go into it like this.

I had to share that because I KNOW like I know my name that there are some of you who struggle with your food. You have consequences form overeating in your physical body, in your relationships, in whatever area of your life that have put you in an uncomfortable place and I want to tell you that I believe God wants to restore you. He wants to heal your mind and body of that dependence on food. I don’t konw what for. I don’t know what’s ahead of you on your journey with the Lord, but I DO know He’s got a plan and I DO know in these times, there is a need for those of us who are believers and followers to step up, to clear away the things that are holding us ack and the best people we can for HIS glory in this dark earth.

If this is you, I’m so sorry that the enemy has used food to keep you defeated for as long as he has. You don’t need to let him do this any longer. Jesus wants to restore you – on the inside. He doesn’t just want you to go on another diet and think you have to fix yourself. He wants you to walk through to healing with HIM. 

I’m so excited because in January, I’ll be a launch helping you do just that, finding God in the midst of this. So if you want to be part of it, sign up for my newsletter on my website.

So — Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Listen for What God is telling you.