Lately, I’ve been studying Hosea.

In chapter 3:1, there’s a direct parallel: Gomer (Hosea’s adulterous wife) turns to another lover, just as Israel turns from God to follow pagan idols.

It got me thinking: What hidden idols am I following?

I actually had AI generate a quiz to help me see where my heart goes astray. Wouldn’t you know it—comfort is my big one.

And let’s be honest: comfort is wildly enjoyable. I love the feeling of peace that seems to hover when we’re financially secure, materially content, and relationally stable. It feels like a forcefield protecting our home on all sides. I will do almost anything to keep those comfort levels maxed out.

I’ll sacrifice quiet time with the Lord to lounge in bed scrolling through online news. I’ll talk myself into purchases that satisfy my immediate wants. I’ve even justified it all by convincing myself that my personal comfort must be at the top of God’s priority list.

My wake-up call came 8 years ago when I was in labor with my firstborn.

I endured 26 hours of active, unmedicated labor—a level of physical suffering I had never known. While I chose to go unmedicated of sound mind, I hit an absolute wall once transition began. I couldn’t escape it, rush it, or make it less painful. At one point, I was just rocking back and forth, praying through every worsening contraction.

If it were up to me, I would choose to never experience discomfort again. There’s no telling how much time, energy, and money I’ve spent trying to exterminate it from my life.

But that’s a fantasy.

In the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, Job 5:6-7 states:

“For affliction does not come from the dust, nor does trouble sprout from the ground, but man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward.”

Trouble, hardship, and discomfort are a natural part of living in a fallen world. As unpleasant as they are, facing them doesn’t mean we are being punished or indicted of wrongdoing.

For the believer, there is immense reassurance in the middle of the hard. Jesus gave his disciples a reality check paired with a promise in John 16:33:

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Jesus assures us that the ultimate worst-case scenario—eternal separation and death—has been completely taken off the table. Everyday human troubles lose their power to ruin us because our hope is anchored in Christ.

Hardships can and will disrupt my comfort. But they cannot destroy my destiny.

I don’t have to live in fear of being trapped in high-pressure situations. What is temporary discomfort compared to the ultimate comfort of knowing eternity is secured by the One who made me?

Reflecting on my labor brought a beautiful realization to mind: my mom endured four unmedicated births, and she is one of the most joyful people I know. I stepped into that room knowing she made it to the other side of that exact same suffering—and thrived.

My lesson learned is to expect trouble. Endure it. And take heart knowing there is an absolute expiration date on discomfort for those in Christ.

Try It Yourself: The Heart-Check Quiz

If you want to take a quick inventory of where your heart naturally turns for security or peace, take this 7-question gut-check quiz. Pick the answer that best describes your immediate reaction:

1. Where does your mind naturally drift when you have free, uninterrupted time?
A) Savings, investments, budget goals, or financial safety.
B) My reputation, social standing, how others view me, or my achievements.
C) Having full order over my schedule, environment, or future outcomes.
D) Escaping stress, getting comfort, easing pain, or maximizing leisure.

2. What triggers your most intense anxiety when it is threatened or taken away?
A) Financial instability or unexpected expenses.
B) Being criticized, ignored, misjudged, or feeling like a failure.
C) Plans falling apart, unexpected disruptions, or feeling out of control.
D) Discomfort, loss of peace, confrontation, or physical/emotional exhaustion.

3. What do you feel you must have for life to feel meaningful and secure?
A) Financial freedom and material stability.
B) Recognition, validation, love, or respect from specific people.
C) Predictability, order, autonomy, and self-reliance.
D) Ease, pleasure, freedom from conflict, and physical comfort.

4. When making a major decision, what is your biggest initial filter?
A) “Is this financially prudent or profitable?”
B) “How will I look to others if I do this?”
C) “Will this keep me in control of my life and schedule?”
D) “Will this cause me stress, friction, or discomfort?”

5. What is your deepest, unspoken fear?
A) Poverty, dependency, or running out of resources.
B) Being irrelevant, unloved, rejected, or deemed incompetent.
C) Chaos, uncertainty, or being at the mercy of circumstances.
D) Suffering, chronic stress, confrontation, or living an uncomfortable life.

6. Where do you tend to invest your excess energy, money, and emotional focus?
A) Securing wealth, acquiring assets, or building financial buffers.
B) Refining my image, working harder for praise, or pleasing people.
C) Organizing, micro-managing, or strictly planning out the future.
D) Seeking relaxation, self-care, entertainment, or buffer spaces from pressure.

7. If you could guarantee one thing for your future self, what would it be?
A) Complete financial independence.
B) Unwavering respect, acceptance, and admiration.
C) Total autonomy and freedom from external disruption.
D) A smooth, peaceful, and painless life.

Which Letter Did You Pick Most?

Mostly A — The Idol of Security (Money & Wealth): You look to material stability and financial abundance to feel safe in an unpredictable world.

Mostly B — The Idol of Approval (Status & Acceptance): You seek worth through achievement, reputation, relationships, or how favorably others view you.

Mostly C — The Idol of Control (Power & Predictability): You feel safest when you dictate your environment and schedule, struggling when things fall outside your influence.

Mostly D — The Idol of Comfort (Ease & Pleasure): You prioritize peace, low stress, and avoiding pain—sometimes sacrificing growth or responsibility to maintain ease.