When Obedience Feels Inconvenient: Choosing God Over Comfort.

 "If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land." - Isaiah 1:19 (NIV).

Obedience. We hear that ever so often. But living it out, especially when it is difficult or inconvenient, is quite a struggle. Obedience doesn't feel glamorous. To be honest, it doesn't always come with applause. It requires us to sacrifice what is easy. 

Let's look at the story of Abraham (Genesis 12), God told Abraham, “Go from your country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will show you. There would be so many questions to ask. It wouldn't sound logical at all. Yet Abraham obeyed. Hebrews 11:8 says, "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." As a result, God made a covenant to make Abraham a father of nations. 

Most often, we want some form of clarity before we move. But God gives the direction, not details. That is where Faith comes in (Hebrews 11:8). Obedience would sometimes look like walking into uncertainty, but we trust in a God of direction. And why wouldn't we trust God? He never fails. There is no record of God failing those who seek him and obey him diligently. Obedience requires trust, and trust is built through a relationship with Him. 

But let's dig deeper. Is it really worth it? Yes. Every time!

God calls us to obedience, not to punish us, but to position us for purpose. Deuteronomy 28:1-2 says, "If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God." God clearly attaches obedience to overflows. Even Jesus modeled this. He prayed following God's will as seen in Luke 22:42. Jesus obeyed, and it led to the salvation of mankind. Just imagine the weight of that obedience- and yet he bore it for us. 

Obedience could also mean abstaining from a secret habit, toxic friendships, and so much more. It entails denying what gives us temporal satisfaction in exchange for an intimate relationship. When obedience feels difficult, remember that you are not alone. That being said, Prayer and His Word are necessary for a good relationship. It allows us to seek God's guidance and find solace in his words (James 1:5). 

Obeying God isn't always solitary. We are called to commune with other believers, seeking counsel when needed. Surrounding ourselves with others who can encourage and challenge our faith strengthens our ability to obey (Proverbs 11:14). Lastly, it is important to understand that God's timing is always perfect. Sometimes obedience requires patience, and it can be challenging when we feel the weight of uncertainty. But we learn to surrender our control and trust in his faithfulness (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Psalm 128:1 (NIV) says, "Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him." Choose Obedience. Even when nobody claps. Ask the Holy Spirit for help to obey, even in the little things. Because at the end, God always honors those who obey him. 

If this spoke to you, don't keep it to yourself. Share this message with someone who might need this today. Join our WhatsApp Community for daily encouragement and inspiration from the Word of God. 

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