Grow Comfortable being Uncomfortable
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:6-11
Are you a man evil hates?
A couple weeks back, at our quarterly men's breakfast, I talked to the guys about being a man that evil hates. What comes to mind when you typically think of evil? Is it freaky-looking demons, like have been portrayed in movies? Is it blood-thirsty killers, again, like have been portrayed in movies? Or, is it common, everyday occurrences against the natural order of creation and God's revealed Word?
Let me define evil so you know where I am going. Evil is anything that pushes against God, twists His truth, and pulls your heart away from Him. Think Isaiah 5:20, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil…”. Think Romans 1:28-32. Think 1 John 3:4.
So, if evil is ultimately opposition to God, and if evil’s task is to get us to do and think about things that God opposes, what should we look out for? The off-the-cuff, kid's church answer would be sin, right? We're told we should be battling sin. “Be killing sin, or it will be killing you!”, as JC Ryle once said. Yes, we should always battle sin. But, we also need to look to who uses our sin for his good, his advantage.
We have an enemy, Satan, the great deceiver, who, with all that fell with him from heaven, is out to get us. This isn't hyperbole, making a grandiose statement to get you riled up. It's what's happening. Satan wants to get you wobbly and unstable, doubtful, and filled with shame, to the point you look for comfort outside of his attacks instead of in God. Evil loves a man who forgets about God when he should seek and enjoy His comfort.
So, to go back to the beginning, what does it mean to “be a man evil hates”? Evil hates a man who recognizes enemy tactics and says, “Satan, you're a tool, a weak turd who doesn't play nice with others so you threw a temper tantrum and got dealt with! You're a loser, and will always be a loser cause you ultimately lose! Loser!” (That was fun to write!) Then, that man remembers the Lord, runs to the Lord, and relies on the Lord for all he needs!
When we grow comfortable being uncomfortable, knowing the enemy is always on the attack, the enemy may not stop its evil against you, but he'll recognize he has a true adversary. Don't go out seeking to be uncomfortable, like you're starting a bar fight with the enemy. But be trained, prepared, and ready for when he shows up. That's how you can be comfortable when the uncomfortable arrives.
Here’s a practical spiritual tactic to prepare and fight, using Peter's words in 1 Peter 5:6-11:
Be sober-minded – Think clearly and avoid spiritual distraction.
Be watchful – Stay alert to temptation and the enemy’s schemes.
Recognize the threat – The devil is active and predatory.
Resist him – Stand against him, don’t entertain him.
Stand firm in the faith – Anchor yourself in God’s truth and promises.
Remember you’re not alone – Other believers face the same fight, which builds courage and endurance.
The Lord doesn't grow us from the LazyBoy; He grows us in the line of fire, in the fight. The LazyBoy represents the comfort of the world. Rest isn’t wrong; we need rest. But we need to be men who are trained, prepared, and ready to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations because we are servants of the King of kings and Lord of lords who are in the crosshairs of the enemy. Make evil hate you!
Lord Jesus, You are my refuge and my strength. Help me to be sober-minded and watchful, knowing that my adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking to destroy. Guard my heart from distraction, dullness, and complacency. Strengthen me to resist him—not in my own strength, but standing firm in the faith You have given me. Anchor me in Your Word, clothe me in Your armor, and remind me that I am not alone in this fight, for my brothers and sisters around the world face the same trials. Keep my eyes fixed on Christ, my victorious King, who has already crushed the serpent’s head. In His name I pray, Amen.