Today I want to share
something on Comfort zones and why we need to get out of them.
Simply put, ‘comfort
zone’ is a state of existence in which the mind sets limits/ boundaries to what
one can or cannot do. In other words mind limits body.
Some examples of
comfort zones are sleeping on the same side of the bed, shopping at the same
grocery store, taking the same route home while traveling etc – i.e. adherence
to a set routine and not wanting to try something new.
When we learn new
skills, new sports, new languages, doing something new we are moving out of our
comfort zone into the stretch zone.
Have you noticed how
bosses have a habit of pushing you out of your comfort zones as soon as you seem
to be settling down nicely into a routine?
Have you noticed that
throughout the Bible, in every book you read, God also seems to specifically
move people OUT of their comfort zones into unknown zones? And there were
people who obeyed his call and were blessed.
Nehemiah
Nehemiah was a displaced Jew
living a thousand miles from Jerusalem in what’s known today as Persia, or
Iran. He had risen to prominence as the cupbearer to the king of Persia, and he
lived a comfortable life in the king’s palace. He slept on satin sheets and
down pillows.
Yet one day God told him to
go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall. It must have cost him a lot to get
out of his comfort zone .He could have continued to live in luxury in Persia,
but Nehemiah went a thousand miles away…to Jerusalem.
Peter must have wondered if
it really was Jesus walking on water or just his imagination working
overtime. Jesus called to him: Come. He was in his comfort zone,
inside the boat. It must have taken a lot of courage to take that first
step out of the boat in the middle of the wind and waves. But when he
did, it was magic, Peter walked on water! The Bible says,
And when Peter was come down
out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
(Gen 12:1, 2)
“Now the LORD had said
unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy
father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make thee a great
nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a
blessing: And Abram left his comfort zone ventured forth into unknown
territories.
Exodus 4: when
God commissions Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, notice what
Moses says to God in Exodus
4:10,
“Pardon your servant, Lord. I
have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your
servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”
And what an answer he
got for his question!!!!!
Exodus 4: 11 “Who gave human
being their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes
them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will
teach you what to say.”
Nehemiah walked out of
his comfort zone into a place where he was a blessing to the people around him.
Peter walked out of his
comfort zone into a place where he experienced magic, a miracle.
Abram walked out of his
comfort zone into a zone of personal growth and abundant blessings.
Moses walked out of his
comfort zone into the fullness of his God given potential.
Have you observed just how
difficult it is to get out of Comfort zones, how we simply do not like getting
out of Comfort zones??
We
have seen that when we move out of our comfort zones we experience
miracles, growth in every area of our lives. We operate in the fullness of our
potential
Agreed, growth is
uncomfortable. It is uncomfortable to intercede for someone in need
when we are so busy in our own worlds. It is uncomfortable to wake up extra
early to read the Bible/Pray/ meditate on the Word so that you experience
spiritual growth. It is uncomfortable to witness to someone whom you have never
seen before. It is uncomfortable to tithe 10% or more of your income when you
are wondering how to pay of the months bills.. And it is uncomfortable to give
up old habits. It is uncomfortable but when you do it, you will be blessed
Today, if God is
calling us to do any one of these things, we need to respond.
When our bosses tell us to
get out of our comfort zones we are quick to respond and obey.
How much more then should we
respond and obey when God tells us to get out of our comfort zones and do
what he has commanded us to do?
Remember, God is NOT telling
us to get out of our COMFORT ZONES to make our lives miserable.
HE IS TELLING US TO GET OUT OF OUR COMFORT ZONE SO THAT HE CAN
BLESS US AND WE CAN BE A BLESSING TO MANY.
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