Too Comfortable
April 12, 2026
“23All right then,” Joshua said, “destroy the idols among you, and turn your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.” Joshua 24:23 (NLT)
“21Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” 1 John 5:21 (NLT)
God alone is worthy and He wants what is best for us ... Him!
Recommend book: Gods at War by Kyle Idleman
It’s amazing how much comfort we have compared to previous generations, and terrifying how much it’s quietly making us weaker, more entitled, and less dependent on God.
Comfort from God strengthens you.
“3All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT)
Comfort as a god weakens you.
“1Be careful to obey all the commands I am giving you today. Then you will live and multiply, and you will enter and occupy the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors. … 9It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. It is a land where iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills. 10When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you. 11But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey His commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. 12For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, 13and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! 14Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. … 19But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed.” Deuteronomy 8:1, 9-14, 19 (NLT)
The blessing of comfort can quickly become the curse of forgetting God.
Who, me?
- Has God clearly called you to take a step of faith that you’ve been putting off?
- Are you avoiding a conversation you know you need to have?
- When following God costs you something, do you still follow?
- When was the last time you took a step of faith that made you nervous?
Fallout from idolizing comfort:
- You stop obeying
- You stop growing
- You start drifting
- You lose impact
Following Jesus requires getting uncomfortable often!
- Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44)
- Forgive again and again (Matthew 18:22)
- Calls Peter to walk on water (Matthew 14:29)
- Calls Levi to leave everything and follow Him (Luke 5:27)
“24Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 25If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?’” Matthew 16:24-26 (NLT)
The reward for choosing God over comfort:
- Honors Him
- Grow
- Kingdom impact/purpose
- Others benefit
- Eternal reward
“41He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42‘Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.’” Luke 22:41-42 (NLT)
Jesus always chose obedience over comfort.
Has comfort quietly become an idol?
What step of faith has God been calling you to take?
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