Being uncomfortable is how our bodies tell us that something is wrong. This man’s body is telling him that he ate way too much and there is not enough room for it. I know from experience that he is either going to be a little uncomfortable for a few hours or he will have to use the bathroom very soon.

I have experienced physical discomfort when my shoes are too tight, my skin is itchy from being dry, when I don’t get enough sleep, when I’m hungry, etc. You can relate to these, I’m sure.

There are times in my life when my body wasn’t uncomfortable, but my mind was uncomfortable. It was telling me that something was off somehow. Going through my teenage years this happened frequently. At first it was easy to know and to change my course of direction away from the thing making me uncomfortable.

I my high school, there were fights all of the time. The popular thing to do was to run and watch the fight. I didn’t like that. I didn’t feel comfortable seeing people attack each other. One time, there was a fight by the vending machines. A knife was used. The boy died on the operating table. He was able to be resuscitated and lived. My discomfort was telling me that it was not safe to be around the fights.

As I grew older and more rebellious, I pushed back on that uncomfortable feeling until I just didn’t have it anymore. I found myself in unsafe situations. Doing dumb things. I wish I hadn’t done those things. But I did. They are also a part of who I am now.

In my late teens, I worked at a movie theater. They showed midnight movies. When we all were able to leave, it would be around 2:30-3AM. I remember a co-worker invited me to drive up the hill near the theater with the others to party. I was preparing to go. I was talking with a friend before we left when all of the sudden a car drove up.

My dad was looking for me. I have no idea what would have happened if he never came to tell me to come home. I wasn’t listening to my unease about this invitation. Heavenly Father had the Spirit wake my dad up to come find me. I wonder about this night frequently.

I did so many stupid things in my teenage years, why was this night any different? Why did Heavenly Father tell my dad to come find me on this night? I don’t know the answer to that, but I do know that it was very important. I’m so grateful for my dad listening to that uncomfortable feeling he got to know that he had to get out of bed and come find me.

I have a dear friend that shared with me that she had been gone from church for so long that when she came back, she felt uncomfortable. She said that feeling this way helped her to know that she needed to be there more. She didn’t want to feel uncomfortable at church. She wanted to have the peaceful feelings that she was able to enjoy before when she had been coming more regularly.

I can relate to this friend. There are times when I struggle with discomfort like this. There are times when I feel a little distance between me and God. Even writing this blog daily in prayer with Him. The day gets busy with appointments. I run out of patience with kids growling at me or at each other. I feel the loss of the spirit. It takes effort to get that back.

The woman on the couch is uncomfortable. Her body and her mind are telling her that something is wrong. How does she fix it? It all seems like too much! I’ll tell you how. One moment at a time. Don’t give up! I posted some steps yesterday, but I’d like to add one more very important one.

Service. It is that simple. Find a way to serve someone else. It doesn’t have to be as big as a sunshine box. Those are fun to make though. It can be as simple as a smile for a stranger. Serving others helps us to get out of our misery and see how others are doing. They might need your love. You might need their love too. The only way to find out is by acting.

What are the times when your mind has been uncomfortable? What will you choose to do to alleviate that discomfort?