I was coaching someone recently and they said they didn’t do such and such because it was uncomfortable. I countered with is that really a good reason.
Yes sure, if something is really far out or crosses your moral, emotional, physical boundaries, you have every right and should say no. But that’s not the kind of uncomfortable we’re talking about.
The hard truth is that everything worth doing/being takes some level of discomfort to get there. An athlete training for an event, whether it’s their first 5K or an ultra-marathon must push themselves beyond what is easy each time they train, and the result is that what they can do each time increases.
And so too it is with our spiritual journey. It is not always comfortable to look at our embedded beliefs. It is not always comfortable to be in the place between, of uncertainty, of doubt. It is not always comfortable to sit in meditation when you’d rather be doing something else. It is, however, worth it.
The spiritual journey is not a destination, and it doesn’t give instant gratification. You will not suddenly be able to transcend the day to day annoyances or see the Christ in everybody.
I think one of the most uncomfortable things about the spiritual journey is when you realize how much farther you can go.
But that is not a reason to be discouraged. Every step, no matter how big or small, a shuffle, leap, or side-step is part of what makes you YOU. Our spiritual journey cha-cha (one step forward, one back) is how we figure out what we believe, who our people are, and how to best engage in spiritual practice.
In the discomfort, or as some call it ‘divine discontent,’ is the refinement process what boils away the unnecessary and superfluous. Like the athlete who works through sore muscles and over months and years becomes stronger, our potential is realized when we stay the course.
Let the process work through you, make friends with the discomfort, stay curious and open, be patient. As my friend and mentor Rev. Jennifer Holder said once, “I could have come no other way.”
So no, the discomfort of doing what we know is ours to do isn’t a good reason to chicken out, delay the start, or make excuses.
Make today the day you do something brave.
