Discomfort and Heat 

I love Texas. Great people. Great food. No state income taxes (can I get an Amen?!) However, Texas isn’t without its flaws either. In particular, our state’s major, glaring issue is one I’m certain you’ve each encountered this week. Texas is hot! 

I like to compare Texas to desert (think: Arizona or Nevada). The desert is like copper piping: it heats up fast in the mornings then cools down fast in the evenings. But Texas is like a cast iron skillet. All Fall/Winter/Spring Texas heats up… then when summer is here, She holds her heat with an unmatched intensity paralleled only by the likes of Louisiana, Mississippi and other hot, muggy neighboring states. 

Some of you may enjoy the warmer weather, but I think we can all agree that 100+ degree days aren’t ideal. The sweat. The panting. The sweat. The sunscreen. The bugs. The sweat! 

We want to play outside. We want to sit on the patio at our favorite restaurant. But it’s hot! And the heat can be uncomfortable. And if we’re being honest with ourselves, much of our Western culture doesn’t handle discomfort well. 

AC broken? That repairman better be here ASAP no if, ands, or buts about it! 

And if we’re being really honest, we can tend to get a little snippy with others when we’re uncomfortable. 

The spiritual reality is that this isn’t just the case with heat, but any bodily discomfort. Arthritis acting up? Hungry? Sleepy? Back twinging a bit? All of these things and more has an effect on our emotions, behaviors, and reactions. 

And I’m reminded of Jesus’ words in Matt. 10:38 – “38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.39  Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.”

Jesus is clear throughout the gospels: Following him will lead us into discomfort. 

I’m not talking about awkward encounters with people, as in “that was uncomfortable.” I’m describing physical, actual, discomforting experience. After all, Jesus was the incarnation of God. And by nature of being incarnate, God embodied, it’s safe to assume that our discipleship will impact our physical bodies. 

But understanding our Christian journey in this way might influence how we interpret other Biblical admonitions to discomforting discipleship: 

Acts 9:16 reads, “For I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

2 Timothy 2:3 encourages us: “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”

The question is why? Why must we embrace discomfort? 

The simple answer is that it mirrors the model of the incarnation: that God embraced bodily discomfort when God become fully human and experienced actual, physical discomfort. And therefore we follow in the footsteps of God when we do the same. 

But as a disciple of Jesus Christ, I think embracing discomfort invites us to see the areas of our life where we may need to grow a bit spiritually. 

I don’t like being hot and sweaty. A nice, balmy 50-60 degrees year-round would be my ideal climate. But no matter what the temperature is outside, no matter how uncomfortable I am in my skin, surely I can center my spirit and embody a spirit of joy and light and hope to those experiencing their discomforts. 

Then again… maybe not, because I really don’t like being hot! 

This week, may you be aware of when your discomfort is affecting your spirit. And may you embrace that discomfort in the same way God embraces us. Oh… and stay cool out there!