Live Life Outside Your Comfort Zone

I can’t believe we’re already a couple months into 2018! As I began this year, I decided to write out a list of goals I have for myself looking ahead. The beginning went something like this:  

“This year I want to mature in my faith like never before. I want to get out of my comfort zone and serve the Lord in the little things- in the everyday conversations.”  

Recently after reading this, I realized I had found the theme focus of growth for my year: getting out of my comfort zone.

As a young adult, I tend to look at grand opportunities around me as new adventures and I eat up the thrill I get from adrenaline. I recently began to recognize the similarity in the feeling I get when stepping onto a roller coaster and when I walk up to meet a new person. 

Why is it that many of us are ok with the anxiety leading up to what we anticipate as a great thing, but as soon as an unknown experience becomes personal we shrink and hide? When I walk into a room of people I begin to hear lies filling my head and blocking me from the truth of the situation. Do these thoughts sound familiar, “What if they don’t like me? What if I talk too much and they find me odd and annoying? Did I overdress? She's so pretty, I’m too intimated to talk to her.” Why do we so often allow ourselves to believe these thoughts which block us from God’s truth? He calls us His beloved possession, we are His children and He promises to cause all things to work together for our good and His glory!  

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28

So if we know and believe the truth that God is in control, of whom or of what do we have to be afraid? “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31. Instead of walking into a room, afraid of the unknown, we can approach each situation in boldness and confidence in Christ. “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.” - Jeremiah 17:7

Instead of backing up into a safe place, let us be people who take a step forward so that we can grow. As I’ve been praying for the past few weeks for God to take me out of my comfort zone, He has, and as a result I have been blessed abundantly. 

Are you comfortable in uncomfortable situations? Are you searching for new ways to grow and love the people around you? I highly encourage you to begin to pray, as I am, for God to take you out of your hiding place. It’s time to live your life outside of your comfort zone.