The Love of Our Own Comfort

By Ashton McGraw & Chris Jaeger In The Light of Truth – A Podcast by Illuminate the Truth.

Welcome to In The Light of Truth, a podcast where biblical truth meets real life. Whether you’re new to the Bible or have studied it for years, this is a space for honest conversations about the struggles, joys, and peace we experience as followers of Christ. Walking with God isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. Let’s grow together in the light of truth.

The Love of Our Own Comfort

“For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” — Philippians 2:21

We live in a world that teaches us to chase what feels easy — to protect our peace, stay safe, and avoid anything that causes discomfort. But when we look at Scripture, we see that following Jesus was never meant to be comfortable.

The Lord has been pressing this truth on both of our hearts lately. Comfort, though not always bad, can quietly become an idol that keeps us from obedience. It can disguise itself as peace, wisdom, or “balance,” but often it’s simply fear or selfishness hiding underneath.

At its root, loving our own comfort often stems from pride — from wanting to preserve our own feelings, avoid rejection, or keep control instead of surrendering to what God is asking of us.

🪶 A Picture of Comfort

Ashton shared how one morning the Lord gave her a picture of tripping over her own duvet — this massive, heavy blanket that made it hard to walk. That image became clear: our own comfort can weigh us down and trip us up from walking in obedience.

Sometimes it shows up as fear — fear of failure, fear of provision, fear of what others might think. Other times, it’s selfishness — wanting to play it safe instead of stepping out in faith.

Philippians 2:21 convicts us deeply: “For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”

How often do we make decisions out of what feels easiest rather than what honors Him?

💬 When Comfort Looks Like Approval

For many of us, comfort can come in the form of seeking approval. We want to keep the peace with family, friends, or coworkers — even when the Holy Spirit nudges us to take a stand or speak up for truth.

Sometimes we stay silent to avoid conflict. Sometimes we justify participating in something that doesn’t glorify God because “it’s harmless.” But when our comfort becomes more important than our witness, we’ve crossed a line.

We must ask: Is my desire for comfort keeping me from obedience?

📖 When Comfort Becomes an Idol

Comfort isn’t evil — God Himself gives rest to His people. But when ease becomes our priority, we begin making decisions that serve ourselves instead of the Kingdom.

This can look like:

• Avoiding ministry because it feels inconvenient.

• Staying silent when God calls us to speak.

• Pursuing personal peace instead of purpose.

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When comfort becomes something we protect more than obedience, it replaces Christ as the thing we love most.

✝️ Choosing Calling Over Comfort

Chris shared a beautiful reminder from Lisa TerKeurst’s article Choosing Calling Over Comfort, and the story of Peter in John 21.

After denying Jesus, Peter returned to fishing — to what was familiar and safe. But Jesus met him there and asked, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” (John 21:15).

Peter’s comfort was the very thing keeping him from his calling.

We’re reminded that Jesus often asks us to let go of the “small teddy bear” we cling to — the thing we love and find security in — because He has something greater behind His back. It’s hard to surrender what we can see for what we can’t, but obedience always leads to blessing.

🌸 Surrender, Not Ease

The world tells us to chase ease and happiness. But Christ calls us to surrender.

He’s not against rest or comfort itself — He’s against anything that replaces Him. When comfort becomes an idol, it suffocates our spiritual growth and lessens our dependence on God.

True comfort is not in the absence of hardship — it’s in the presence of Jesus.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9

When we step out of comfort, we step into dependence. And that’s where His power shows up most.

🌿 Learning Contentment

The opposite of loving comfort is learning contentment.

“Godliness with contentment is great gain.” — 1 Timothy 6:6“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” — Colossians 3:2

Contentment doesn’t mean we love where we are; it means we trust God enough to stay faithful even when it’s hard.

Like Paul, we can learn to be content in every circumstance because our satisfaction isn’t in what we have, but in who we have — Jesus.

🔥 Practical Ways to Lay Down Comfort

Ask yourself:

• Where am I avoiding obedience because it’s uncomfortable?

• What areas of my life are built on convenience rather than conviction?

Then, take steps of faith:

• Fast — to train your heart to say “no” to the flesh.

• Serve, even when it’s inconvenient.

• Give, even when it stretches you.

• Speak truth, even when it risks rejection.

Discomfort is often the soil where God grows the most fruit.

💛 The Grace to Surrender

When we realize we’ve chosen comfort over obedience, the answer isn’t guilt — it’s grace.

We confess, repent, and surrender it to Jesus. He carries the burden, not us. The moment we bring it to Him, peace floods in.

He already bore the weight of our sin and shame on the cross. We can rest in that truth.

🌤️ Final Encouragement

Comfort itself isn’t evil — but loving it too much can suffocate our spiritual life.

So, let’s continually examine our hearts and ask God to help us lay down anything that’s hindering obedience. Because when we release our grip on comfort, we make room for Christ to grow something far more beautiful — faith, freedom, and fruitfulness.

“If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” — Matthew 16:24

There’s no true comfort outside of Christ. And there’s no greater joy than walking in obedience to Him — even when it costs us our comfort.

🎧 Listen to Episode 19: "The Love of Our Own Comfort?" https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Hjyv38EqPVn8YwLJtFsqo?si=KwZI7ALsTuSrpmKPZb5ZjQ

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