I just slipped into my Danskin leggings. My meatball and rice supper stretched the limitations of my blue jeans, creating a red-lined indention across my waist.
I like to be comfortable.
That's probably the reason I don't ever wear high heels. My mother-in-law did talk me into buying a cute pair of black wedge shoes (see picture above). I should have known by their hot pink box with the word "Fergalicious"scrawled on the side that these shoes weren't for me. I'm a couple of inches taller in them but my happy scale dips quite a few points when my toes are squished inside.
There are several other indicators that I might be a little bit spoiled when it comes to comfort. Between 74-76 degrees is the only "ok range" on the thermostat. Anything above 76 makes me break out in a sweat...and I'm cranky. When the house (or car) sits at 73 degrees or less you can bet I'm asking Jason to "feel my nose" which will be cold to the touch. I have a heating pad on my lap now (on top of my Danskin leggings) to keep my body at the proper temperature. I've suggested to Jason that I'm reptilian, or at least cold-blooded.
I keep Afrin (in its generic form) in my bathroom drawer for the first signs of nasal stuffiness. (Please kind readers, refrain from telling me the stuff is addictive thinking "she knows not what she does"...I know. And please don't try to tell my about the Neti pot or some other "all natural" remedy that will aid in nasal congestion.) I want to breathe, and my Afrin quickly and completely (though not permanently) clears my nasal passages so that I don't feel like I'm suffocating.
In situations where physical comfort can't be found, I deal with it. I put 32 hours of discomfort behind my belt through the labor of having my first child. And I must say I was pretty tough and nice through the ordeal. I also suffer from migraines. I take a pill and hide in a dark room with my head under a pillow when I can. When I can't, I answer fourth grade math questions and pick my daughter up from theater practice.
Just like ten year old Rylie belted out last night in the car
I can do it
I can do it
I'll get through it
But I'm only human
We do what we have to, but we all like our comfort.
Not just physical comfort, but emotional ease too. When I can't find tranquility through my own effort I reach for it.
I had someone ask me the other day what I did to combat stress. I threw in prayer
1. Because I do pray
2. Because I was talking to a fellow minister's wife and I know it's the right answer
In addition to, and sometimes in lieu of prayer, I spend time, energy and money attempting to remove emotional discomfort. I, in part, believe that a cold Dr Pepper will cure just about anything. Google is my frenemy that distracts me from my woes. I engage in retail therapy at Target or my favorite eating joint every now and and then. I text Jason, family members or my friends with my complaints expecting sympathy and encouragement.
It's my desire that prayer and all these things will make me comfortable.
I wish Google or one of my friends would remind me that, just maybe, discomfort serves a purpose.
Discomfort makes us contemplate our situation.
Is the discomfort suggesting necessary change?
Can the discomfort provide perspective as we're forced to look beyond our current circumstance?
Discomfort reminds us that we are limited in our abilities.
Neither we nor our loved ones will be able to fix all the ills (physical and emotional).
Discomfort can remind us "where our help comes from"
From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Psalm 61:2
We're promised comfort.
It's just not like Afrin or that Molten Lava Cake dessert at Chilis. God is concerned with more than treating our symptoms or tickling our fancy. He's not a quick fix. His main goal isn't making us comfortable like your stretchy pants do.
His work goes deeper. He doesn't always remove our pain, but instead enters it with us. Psalm 23 reminds us that his rod and staff are a tool of his comfort; a promise of his guidance "even though we walk through the darkest valley".
God's promise is comfort IN our difficulties and discomforts, not always a removal from our trial.
Psalm 119:49-51 ESV
Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.2 Corinthians 4:16-18
That’s why we are not discouraged. No, even if outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are being renewed each and every day. This light, temporary nature of our suffering is producing for us an everlasting weight of glory, far beyond any comparison, because we do not look for things that can be seen but for things that cannot be seen. For things that can be seen are temporary, but things that cannot be seen are eternal.