The Curse Of Comfort

The Curse of Comfort

Let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

Some of our dear friends from church disbanded their small group. Not because it wasn’t going well, as I initially thought—but because it was going a little too well. All these people were great leaders who could lead their own group, my friend told me. And yet none of them would.

All too often, it’s easy to become insulated by our own comfort. As an introvert who often feels shy in large groups, I can understand the impulse to avoid the discomfort of trying something new. These people weren’t stepping out of their comfort zone because they didn’t need to—no one was asking them to step up as leaders, so it was all too easy to stay in the proverbial nest. As believers, Romans admonishes us to seek peace and also to “build each other up.” But how do we do that?

I remember a friend who once told me that some of the most life-changing words she ever heard were, “I can see that potential in you.” Calling out the gifts and strengths of others is something that all of us can do to encourage them to step forward in faith. Of course, that requires us to take the time to recognize those strengths. I’ve heard it said that we should find the good and praise it. One of my friends is a homeschooling mom who does incredibly creative, Pinterest-worthy crafts with her kids. Another friend is the most encouraging person I’ve ever met—I leave every interaction with her with a smile on my face. Yet another friend is a wonderful listener who asks intuitive questions that always help illuminate my next step forward.

Although I see the potential in all of those friends, I don’t always think to mention how much I admire the qualities they exhibit. Going forward, let’s resolve to gently push our friends to use the strengths they already possess to step beyond the boundaries of their comfort zones. After all, an encouraging word from us may be just the push they need to take their next faithful step.

— Kristin

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Encourage a friend by telling her about a strength you see in her.