I’ve got a feeling that while what I posted in “Part I” may make some sense, it may still leave a lot of questions unanswered.

Perhaps questions like: “If God’s desire is for us to be so comfortable, rested and pleasured, how do you explain the torture, jailing, and gruesome killing of Jesus’ first disciples? And the promise that we’ll experience persecution and share in his sufferings? And the fact that life is painful and difficult?”

It does seem like a contradiction right? On the one hand Jesus says “You will find rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light”. On the other hand, he talks about the persecution and suffering that comes with following him. How do we reconcile these? Can we relax and trust that the yoke and burden are light and easy? Or should we stay kind of tense and anxious because there’s going to be persecution and suffering.

I’m voting for relaxed and trusting. The contradiction may only be a perceived contradiction.

Let’s take comfort as an example.

If my comfort is found in the “God of all comfort” or “the Comforter”, who or what can take that away? Can persecution or suffering take that away? Not if it’s real. We find out whether or not it’s real when we face those difficulties. If it’s not real, then yes, we’re only as comfortable as our circumstances warrant. If it is real, we can remain comforted regardless of our circumstances.

Is this just a nice idea or is it actually possible?

We certainly see it happening in scripture: David runs face-first towards a giant, because his comfort is in God, not circumstances. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego voluntarily enter a burning fiery furnace because their comfort is in God, not circumstances. Daniel enters a lion’s den because his comfort is in God, not circumstances. The stories continue in the New Testament. Jesus sleeps like a baby as a giant storm rocks the boat. Stephen has the greatest moment of his life as he’s being stoned to death.  The apostles rejoice to have suffered shame. These people have the complete opposite reaction to their circumstances than we’re accustomed to seeing. Something about them is different.

What about us? Is that just for “Bible people”?

I can’t say I’ve faced anything as frightening as fiery furnaces or stoning, but I can see this applying to my life in some small ways. I may be able to find comfort in the midst of conflict and disagreement in ways I couldn’t before. I may be able to find comfort in the midst of rocking turbulence on a flight. I assume that the small things build trust and allow me to find comfort in greater and greater situations. Like the apostles and their post-beating celebration, I too find it exhilarating to grow in comfort amidst uncomfortable situations.

If God is your comfort zone, stay in your comfort zone!