I've been thinking on the subject of growth and human nature lately and I'd like to share some sober observations.
We make progress by a two step cycle of growth. One is comfort and the other is challenge. If you can picture one foot as comfort and the other as challenge, we can easily understand the need for both. One must leave one foot and rest on the other and in a balanced pattern of movement known as a walk we progress in physical movement. In the same way comfort and challenge move us through the process of personal growth. When we're overchallenged we fry and when we're heavy on the comfort we get bored and apathy sets in. This is why studies show that we are happier dreaming about what we would do with a wealthy person's wealth than the wealthy person is actually possessing it. In addition, this cycle of growth is why the almighty dollar has such an intense amount of power in the lives of people. Money represents both comfort and challenge wrapped up in one neat little package. Having the money is the comfort, while getting the money is the challenge. Have you ever wondered why some intensely wealthy people can lose millions in Vegas without any apparent regard for the loss? Subconsciously they have eliminated one of their feet for they can seemingly buy their way out of any challenge. In their insatiable appetite for growth they realize that the only way they can feed the need for challenge is to eliminate some of the comfort so they allow enormous chunks of money to simply drain away. Others who have intense wealth feed the need for challenge differently. They continue to work. Ever wonder why Bill Gates and Michael Dell still show up at work? One can only do nothing for so long. Some people who may be successful, but not exactly wealthy, feed the need for challenge with change. For example, a doctor or lawyer leaves a successful practice only to move to Oregon to open a bike shop because he simply "needs a change." I know some people who can't deal with the concept of change. But if there's anything I've learned it's that the only thing (besides God) that never changes is that everything changes. Those who refuse to deal with the changes are destined to go as mad as a man who would try to stop time.
This is just life but I have come to believe that we grow spiritually the same way. We ask God for comfort when we're facing a challenge and when we're comfortable we ask for more comfort. We typically want challenge but on our terms. God's challenge is far too unpredictable and dangerous to our plans. Since God seems interested in our growth, the challenge and changes are inevitable. Is it possible to grow lethargic in the faith? If you have to ask, you probably got saved a couple of hours ago. Consider where you are right now. Are you facing a challenge? The Bible tells us that God will not give you more to carry than the strength He's given you to carry it. On the other hand, perhaps you've reached a point of intense comfort (not necessarily wealth) and have simply grown bored or apathetic. It may be time for a challenge.