Divesting from Comforts
Day 4, Week 1 | Divest
Hebrews 12:1-3 (ESV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Luke 9:57-62 (ESV)
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
1 Timothy 6:6-10 (ESV)
But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
If you’re honest, comfort is probably something you hold onto more tightly than you’d like to admit. It’s not that comfort is inherently wrong. God created us to enjoy rest and peace. But the problem comes when comfort becomes the priority, when it defines the way you live and the choices you make. Hebrews 12:1 tells us to “lay aside every weight,” and often, the weight we cling to most is the need for ease and security. We find ourselves settling into a life of predictable patterns and routines, avoiding anything that might challenge our comfort zone
Jesus calls us to something different. In Luke 9:57-62, He meets people who want to follow Him, but their comfort is standing in the way. “Let me bury my father,” one says, while another asks for time to say goodbye to his family. These requests aren’t bad, but Jesus’ response is clear. There is urgency to the call of God, and following Him means leaving behind what feels safe and familiar. It means letting go of the comforts that keep you from stepping into what God has prepared for you.
We are masters at finding ways to justify our comforts. We say things like, “I need this downtime to recharge,” or “I deserve a break after everything I’ve been through.” But when comfort becomes a shield that keeps us from obedience, it’s no longer helpful—it’s a hindrance. God calls us to live open-handedly, willing to give up the things that keep us from running with endurance. This doesn’t mean a life devoid of rest, but it does mean that we must be willing to let God stretch us beyond our comfort zones.
1 Timothy 6:6-10 warns against the desire for material comfort, showing that contentment doesn’t come from accumulating more or living a life of ease. Instead, godliness with contentment is true gain. It’s about finding joy in knowing that God is enough. It’s about trusting that when you step out in faith—when you volunteer more time, give generously, or reach out to someone in need—God will provide all you need.
Divesting from comfort requires a willingness to trust God’s goodness. It’s believing that even when you’re called to something uncomfortable, God is with you, guiding and providing every step of the way. It’s about shifting your perspective, seeing discomfort not as a burden, but as an invitation to experience God in new ways. It’s about choosing to live with urgency, knowing that the race of faith is worth every sacrifice you make.
REFLECT: What comforts have you been clinging to that may be hindering you from responding to God’s call? Where is He asking you to step out of your comfort zone?
PRAY: Lord, help me to let go of my attachment to comfort. Show me where I have been resistant to Your call because of fear or a desire for ease. Give me the courage to step out in faith, trusting that You are with me.
ACT: Identify one area of your life where you have prioritized comfort over God’s call. This week, take a step to challenge that comfort zone—whether it’s volunteering, giving, or reaching out to someone in need. Trust that God will meet you there as you step out in obedience.
