The following is a difficult truth that I wish wasn't a reality, but I have a choice to either lean into it and grow or reject it and never become all that God created me to become. I have a choice to either receive it gladly and mature or pretend it is not true and remain immature. The truth is this:

I will only grow to the degree that I lead myself to be made uncomfortable.

Example include:

I will only grow in my endurance to run longer distances when I lead myself to be made uncomfortable by adding miles to my "long run" each Saturday.
I will only grow in my discipline to manage my money when I lead myself to be made uncomfortable by delayed gratification.
I will only grow in my capacity to lead a large organization when I lead myself to be made uncomfortable by delegating tasks, responsibilities, and authority to other leaders.
I will only grow in my authority to preach boldly when I lead myself to be made uncomfortable by proclaiming the truths of God's Word that I know may not be "seeker sensitive" or "socially acceptable."
I will only grow in my ability to love my wife sacrificially when I lead myself to be made uncomfortable by serving her at inopportune times and in inconvenient ways.
I will only grow in my willingness to forgive when I lead myself to be made uncomfortable by extending continual forgiveness to those who I feel deserve it the least.
I will only grow in my resolve to believe God for the impossible when I lead myself to be made uncomfortable by pursuing dreams, goals, and objectives that without His intervention I would fail.
I will only grow in my effectiveness to pastor others when I lead myself to be made uncomfortable by listening when I no longer want to listen and by saying what I fear being said.

How are you leading yourself to be made uncomfortable?

As it relates to your health, finances, leadership, vocation, relationships, faith, etc. what circumstances, situations, and opportunities are you placing yourself in that you know will cause you discomfort but will also force you to grow?

You must lead yourself through the desert of discomfort if you desire to enjoy the oasis of growth.

Discomfort. Growth. Discomfort. Growth. Discomfort. Growth. This is a pattern for life that if you choose to embrace it can produce results that you never thought possible. It is also a pattern for life that if you avoid, will result in the following happening by default: Comfort. Stagnation. Comfort. Stagnation. Comfort. Stagnation.

The bottom line is this:

You can have comfort or you can have growth, but you can't have both!

Which will YOU choose today?