Girl Step Out Of That Comfort Zone

 By: Paula Short

"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love."

—Romans 5:3-5 NLT

Have you ever been in a situation where you had to come out of your comfort zone? Maybe it was public speaking or teaching a class. Perhaps it was doing something new or scary. Or perhaps it was God calling you to do something for him? 

Wait! Who me?

Yes, you! And me too, when he called me to write for him. We had this tugging contest going on, him tugging and me resisting. He won! 

I had that knot in my stomach for a while, with that blender feeling going on. I had self-defeating thoughts going on too. You know, what if I'm not good enough. Some tears fell, too, until I became familiar with what he wanted me to do and let him lead. 

So Why do we stay in our comfort zone? Because our comfort zone is often the safe haven, we're used to. It's what is familiar. I call this my "bubble." And I like it here in my bubble.

When we stay in our comfort zone, we set ourselves up to remain at a standstill. Sometimes We're afraid to change for fear of what could happen. It's where we're most content. It's where we rest our anxieties. Or so we think. Our brains are trained to safeguard us, so we stay in our comfort zone instead of facing the unknown. This is also the place where the "what if's, " "ya, but's," and "if only's" reside. 

Staying in our comfort zone, though, can be problematic as well. Here are 5 reasons that can be harmful to staying in your comfort zone.

• Lack of growth. Staying in your comfort zone will likely keep you from growing into more than you are now. I know it did me. I always felt stuck, never going forward and never growing and changing. By not stepping out of my comfort zone, I couldn't explore what I was capable of doing or what I could accomplish.

• You may feel like you're being left behind or out of your relationships with friends, family, and others you relate to.

• Settling for less. You put your dreams, goals, and other things you love aside. By living in your comfort zone, you end up settling for less than you desire.

• Your health suffers. Sometimes when you're not leaving your comfort zone, you aren't taking care of your health. It can be from fear of going to the doctor, anxiety, panic, depression, or being looked at or trying something different.

• You'll be unprepared for changes. Jesus never said life would be easy or comfortable, and he never promised as much. Things pop up that will pull you out of your comfort zone even if you don't want to. 

Leaving your comfort zone can be a scary thing, sweet friend. I've been there too. But Staying there keeps you from being open to new possibilities and living the life God intended for you. He doesn't want you to hide. 

Do you hear him calling? Is he calling you to step out into something new?

Reflection

"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.

Photo by Behzad Ghaffarian on Unsplash