How comfortable are you? I enjoyed reading Joby Martin’s new book, If the Tomb is Empty. In it, he says, God “loves us enough to strip away anything comfortable, anything we rely on rather than on Him, so that we look to Him and Him alone.” As a dad, we can get caught up in comfort. We do what we know. We go where we’ve always gone. We don’t take risks, learn new skills or jump into difficult situations. But, that sends the wrong message to our families. The Apostle Paul wasn’t comfortable, but he was content (Phil 4:11-13). He knew – despite the difficulty he was experiencing – that he was on track on a mission worth doing. Let’s model and encourage our families to try the uncomfortable so that in doing that we’re relying even more on God to see us through.

Leading a Father-Son Bible Study: The idea of starting an ongoing Bible study with your son might make you nervous. If so, you’re not alone. It can be a daunting task, but the benefits outweigh all the potential excuses. As you ponder ways to plug into a father son Bible study, we’re sharing some ways you can get the ball rolling.

Pastor Joby Martin on the Power of Fatherhood: For more than a decade, Pastor Joby Martin has served as the founding pastor of the congregation of Church of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, Florida. He’s also a popular author and speaker at conferences around the country. Pastor Joby brings his wisdom and experience to the Father On Purpose podcast, sharing what God has taught him over the years about biblical fatherhood and manhood.

“When God gets us alone through suffering…when He gets us absolutely alone, and we are totally speechless, unable to ask even one question, then He begins to teach us.”
– Oswald Chambers

“But God doesn’t call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn’t come through.”
– Francis Chan

“Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.”
– Martin Luther King, Jr.

Cast comfort aside. What’s one thing that if you were to do it this week, it would seem uncomfortable to do? Call that estranged relative and offer a bridge back? Give to the point of sacrifice? Step into that role which will force you to learn a ton? Whatever it is, lean into God’s provision as you do this. And, cherish the amazing example you’re giving your family. God does some of His best work when we throw off comfort and embrace the challenge!

Kent Evans
Author of Bring Your Hammer, co-founder of Manhood Journey

P.S. Was this Mountain Monday helpful? Tell me if you love it, hate it, or if there’s something you’d like in the next one.

Forward this to a dad you know who needs some encouragement.