Podcast Summary: Comfortable Vs. Contented | Pat Harrison

Dufresne Ministries Podcast | Ladies Conference 2024 | Thursday AM
Date: October 7, 2024
Guest Speaker: Pat Harrison
Host: Dufresne Ministries

Main Theme & Purpose

In this episode, Pat Harrison delivers an inspiring and practical message distinguishing the spiritual states of "being comfortable" versus "being contented." She shares personal stories and scriptural insights to encourage listeners to move beyond spiritual comfort zones, embrace contentment rooted in God’s promises, and live with Holy Spirit-led boldness, obedience, and joy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining "Comfortable" vs "Contented"

• Comfortable:

  • Staying in an undisturbed, unchallenged, safe zone.
  • Avoidance of spiritual growth, faith challenges, or changes.
  • Tied to spiritual laziness and reliance on self rather than God.
  • [09:20] “Being in a comfort zone spiritually is very dangerous because we begin to depend upon our own abilities and do things our own way rather than trusting in God and doing things his way.” — Pat Harrison

• Contented:

  • Rooted in faith, trust, and obedience to God’s will.
  • Comes from understanding God’s love, peace, and inheritance through Jesus.
  • Enables steadfastness, peace, and victory despite challenges.
  • [11:45] “Contentment causes us to be steadfast and to know that we know… what the Word of God says is truth. Then we operate in and maintain everything God has said in our lives.” — Pat Harrison

2. Scriptural Foundation

• John 16:33:
  • Jesus promises peace amid tribulation – victory is already secured.
  • [02:30] “In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
• John 14:16-17:
  • The Holy Spirit as “another Comforter” provides more than empathy: strength, power, and truth.
  • [07:10] “The Holy Spirit…brings truth to us and keeps us on our right path…”

3. Personal Testimony: From Shyness to Boldness

• Pat recounts how extreme shyness once kept her in the background (“I couldn’t even go up and introduce myself…” [13:04]), but God called her to ministry.
• Obedience required her to respond to God’s ability, not rely on her own ([15:20] “Your responsibility is—response to my ability.”).
• She spent two years meditating 1 Corinthians 13, learning to say “Pat suffers long and is kind…”—transforming her identity through God’s love.
• Result: Confidence and boldness in ministry (“…in the pulpit… I’m very bold. I say what God says and that’s it. Period.” [18:24]).

4. The Danger of Spiritual Laziness

• Comfort can lead to “spiritual laziness,” lacking faith-action, and missing God’s direction.
• [23:19] “You are spiritually lazy. Now, we recognize when the body’s lazy, but we don’t recognize when we’re allowing the real me, who I am, my spirit, to be lazy.”

5. The Power of Obedience and Making Decisions

• Immediate obedience is crucial (“One hesitation is a step in disobedience.” [19:44]).
• God will direct, empower, and supply—obedience moves us from stagnation to progress.
• Example: Continuing her ministry at 83, she refuses to let age be an excuse ([32:40] “What’s 83 got to do with it? I’m going until God says you’re done.”).

6. Walking Through Personal Loss and Transition

• Pat shares the painful transition after her husband’s passing, having to run multiple businesses and make decisions alone ([37:10]-[47:00]).
• God’s instruction: The vision has not changed—she was to carry on faithfully.
• Leaned on the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and networks God had placed in her life.
• Example: Miraculous resolution of a threat to the family business through God-led partnerships.

7. Practical Stories: Downsizing and Letting Go

• Describes downsizing from a 6,500 sq ft house—letting go of cherished possessions with God’s peace and wisdom ([59:20]-[1:08:00]).
• Demonstrated willingness to surrender comfort for obedience.
• Resulted in God’s provision: finding a new house that exceeded expectations, affirming that living Spirit-led brings true peace and contentment.

8. The Role of Spiritual Disciplines

• Daily practices: praising God, praying in tongues, studying and meditating on God’s word.
• [1:14:55] “You cannot be lazy spiritually if you’re going to live everyday life with the Holy Spirit in contentment.”
• Mental health and spiritual vitality linked to mind renewal and Spirit-led living.
• [1:15:50] “The reason there’s so much mental illness… is because people have not gotten up and helped themselves, but sat in this place they felt was comfortable…”

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• [05:51] “I’m a victor and not a victim. Glory to God.”
• [15:20] “Your responsibility is—response to my ability.”
• [19:44] “One hesitation is a step in disobedience.”
• [23:19] “You are spiritually lazy.”
• [37:09] “It wasn’t comfortable or pleasant for me when my husband decided to move to heaven… But I had to remain contented.”
• [49:23] “You stand your ground in any situation.”
• [1:08:17] “When you live a life every day with the Holy Spirit, He will always give you a plan for everything you need in your life.”
• [1:12:39] “I’m not by myself, first of all… I can do whatever I want, when I want… Sometimes I just walk through my house going, ha ha ha ha, got your number, devil.”
• [1:14:55] “You cannot be lazy spiritually if you’re going to live everyday life with the Holy Spirit in contentment.”

Important Timestamps

• 00:00-03:30 — Introduction, setting up the contrast between comfortable and contented
• 05:51-07:12 — “I’m a victor and not a victim”; the power of our inheritance
• 13:04-20:30 — Personal transformation from shyness; meditating on love and learning confidence in Christ
• 23:19-27:40 — Confronting spiritual laziness, necessity of a decisive faith
• 37:10-47:00 — Navigating loss and business trials; relying on the Holy Spirit and God-ordained relationships
• 59:20-1:08:00 — Story of downsizing, learning to let go, and God’s faithful provision
• 1:14:55-1:18:00 — Daily spiritual disciplines; connection between contentment and mental/spiritual health
• 1:20:00-end — Final exhortation and encouragement to live daily by faith, content in God

Concluding Thoughts

Pat Harrison’s message is a clarion call to evaluate whether we are merely comfortable or truly contented in our walk with God. Drawing a clear distinction—comfort as stagnation, contentment as Spirit-empowered peace—she urges believers to embrace obedience, spiritual discipline, and boldness. Through scriptural truth and authentic testimony, listeners are challenged to renounce spiritual laziness, remain quick to obey, and trust God’s ability to provide and guide in every season.

“You have to make the decision to whether you’re going to be contented in this life or just comfortable.” — Pat Harrison [31:55]

“Stay in peace. Stay in contentment so that you are following God and hearing His Spirit and see how He’s working in your life all the time.” — Pat Harrison [1:10:30]