We Are Always In A ‘Becoming’ Process
As you experience life, you are changing based on what you’re learning and experiencing.
Even as you read this series, you are changing.
The question then becomes, “Who will you become in the narrative of your story?”
Everyone has both a choice and the potential to become either the next Hitler (or whichever villain you choose) or the next Martin Luther King (or whichever hero).
If You Choose Evil
You will forever be miserable.
And evil sometimes looks like fleeting pleasure that only serves to make you feel good.
You will feel good when you choose to stay angry at someone, or even to smile at that guy you think is Prince Charming, but has clearly shown you red flags. It always feels good when you are all high and mellow from drugs.
But when those feelings wear off, things are different.
Guilt comes flashing like a flood. Shame covers all your senses. What you pursued doesn’t feel good anymore, faced with the fact that you’re not as good as you thought you were.
You will try to convince yourself by blaming it on your circumstances, spouse, or even the past.
Adam thought he loved Eve until he said, “It is the woman whom you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.”
Good news, there is hope for us.
We Can Choose To Live Right And Embrace The Discomfort Of Righteousness
It’s not easy, though. That’s why we’ve called it a discomfort.
Abraham didn’t find it easy to leave his home and go to a country he didn’t know and to serve a God he had never seen.
Probably, Sarah was like, “What do you mean you heard a voice from heaven tell you to leave home and go to where it will tell you? Are you crazy?”
But Abraham knew that the voice he heard was right, the same way he knew when that same voice told him to sacrifice his son.
Please don’t sacrifice your son.
Rather, instead of sacrificing the feeling of comfort that sin offers, he chose the discomfort of the righteous life.
Do You Know A Righteous Life Can Be Exciting?
It looks a little bit like Daniel going to the lion’s den and sleeping with the lions.
This guy went there willingly simply because he wanted to remain faithful to God.
It also looks like the 3 Hebrew boys walking into a furnace that was 7 times hotter and coming out not even smelling like smoke.
It looks like the Christians of the Dark Ages chose to be persecuted to stand for what is right so that you and I can enjoy the religious freedom that we have right now.
That doesn’t look pretty.
But I have always admired people who would stand for what is right, even if it means giving their lives.
Can you imagine someone burned at the stake, or chained in prison, and choosing to sing hymns?
Ask Paul, he quite literally sang at his worst. An earthquake struck, his chains fell off, and yet he chose to stay in his cell so that he could save the life of a prison guard.
These are people who endured the worst forms of discomfort without a murmur.
But look at us. We haven’t even seen the worst of it, and we are all getting sad, depressed, and frustrated.
However, We Too Can Become Like Them
It all starts with something as simple as cleaning your room.
Cleaning isn’t just about order. It builds discipline, restores beauty, and teaches you to trust yourself to take responsibility.
1. Start Small
When things feel overwhelming, break them down:
- Get the broom.
- Open the windows.
- Spread your bed.
- Sweep the floor.
The point isn’t perfection. It’s progress. Small steps and minutes matter.
2. Don’t Break the Agreement
Every small promise you keep with yourself builds trust.
- Avoid quitting just because it’s uncomfortable.
- Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
- Handling discomfort is more important than avoiding it.
If all you do is get the broom into the room, that’s already a win.
3. Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself
Progress may feel small compared to your full potential, but don’t despise it.
- Sometimes success looks like placing the book on the table.
- Growth often begins with baby steps.
- A righteous man falls seven times, but gets up eight
Next, You Will Go And Face The World
Don’t charge at it though. Just don’t be afraid of it as well.
Be bold enough to face your fears.
With the trust you are slowly building, you have begun to be equipped with the necessary skills to face anything that may appear challenging.
Remember, if it looks too big for you, you can chop it down to bite-sized pieces. Go as small as you need to.
Things might not always work out as well as you might think. However, be proud of yourself because you embraced discomfort.
