Comfort is one of the more common temptations. Comfort is often highly sought after in today’s world. The desire for comfort is not inherently wrong. God is not a strict father who desires to see His children in discomfort. However, we must find our comfort in God. Sin comes when you put comfort over God and others. In this post, we will discuss how many people prioritize their comfort over participating in missions and why that is wrong.

Called Beyond Comfort

And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. Luke 9:23
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]. 2 Timothy 1:7

Comfort is a gift from God; therefore, it is not wrong to desire comfort. Comfort does become sinful when it becomes an idol and gets in the way of your obedience to God. It is easy for even Christians to want to stay where they are comfortable instead of going out to the nations on mission. Jesus calls Christians to daily pick up their cross. This is not an easy thing; it is a hard and grueling undertaking. We must follow in Jesus’ example in living and even suffering for the spreading of God’s Word. God’s call to missions supersedes your desire for comfort. In 2 Timothy, Paul teaches that God has given a spirit of power and love, not one of fear or cowardice. Christians have power, imbued with the Holy Spirit in order to go out into the hardest conditions. Christians are called to a spirit of love; we are to love the world as Christ did, going to great lengths to spread the good news of the gospel to every tribe and tongue. Be spurred on to step out of your comfort and go out and be tested for the spreading of God’s Word.

Comfort in the Cost

Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift on the sea; 2 Corinthians 11:24
And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; Romans 5:3

When talking about missions and discomfort, there is no better example than Paul. Throughout his ministry he endured many hardships, whether he faced persecution from others or being shipwrecked, he knew discomfort well. Even with all of his discomfort, he learned to rejoice in the midst of it. Paul knew his suffering was being used for good in the spreading of God’s Word and in making him more like Christ. To learn that God uses suffering and discomfort will give you the strength to endure it. God will not waste the discomfort you experience for His kingdom. Learn to rejoice in the discomfort. Rejoice that God would allow you to be part in the spreading of the gospel even when it comes with discomfort.

Comfort Cannot Be the Calling

But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

If you are in a church and have a good Christian circle, it can be easy to want to stay within that community. While having that community is a good thing, to remain in there instead of going out and sharing the the good news of the gospel would be a misunderstanding of why we gather as Christians. The church is great for Christians to have community and to build each other up, but the point is to build each other up and then send one another out into the world to share the good news we have found. It does not have to be a giant leap; it can simply be a step outside your door. You do not need to start by moving to the other side of the world; you can start by simply going across the street to your neighbors or going out into your city. Missionaries do not simply start by moving to another country, they start by reaching the people around them, perhaps going on short-term mission trips, then if they sense God calling to missions, they follow that calling. You may not be called to be a missionary, but you can still do the work of a missionary in your city. Be a part of your local church’s efforts to spread the gospel throughout your city, go on mission trips out of state, maybe even go on trips to different countries, and if you feel God calling you, do not let your comfort stop you from following in obedience. There is a whole world that needs the gospel and is ready to hear it. Take a step in faith, go out, and shine the light of the gospel, no matter the discomfort that comes with it.