Moving Out of Your Comfort Zone (originally written Jan. 3, 2012)

We get comfortable in one position or one stage in our life. We get comfortable with doing the same things. We get comfortable with our surroundings. We are comfortable because it is what we know. It is easy. You don’t have to think about it. You don’t have to put much effort into it. You fall into a place of complacency. How do you know it is time to move out of that place? At times, we have this inner voice saying to us that there is more for you to do. Sometimes, things happen in your life to force you to move out of that comfort zone. Things will start to get shaken up in your life. Things will start happening and the ripple effects will start to roll through your life sending you on a rollercoaster ride that you just want to end. You begin to wonder what is going on. What am I doing? Why is this happening to me? Sometimes, these things are happening to wake you up. It is almost as if we are walking through life asleep. You are wondering why things are not working out the way I wanted them to. You ask is this the way things are supposed to be. Or, you may ask is this it?

In reality, you have just become comfortable. You just exist from day to day. Life is not bad. You’re making it. You have accomplished a few things. But, still there are the ripples. You begin to feel that I am no longer challenging myself. You have not really had a dream where you can say I feel good about this and how I am living this dream. Perhaps, you have already envisioned that dream and it is still a just a dream. Maybe, you have lived your ultimate dream. Perhaps, you have achieved what you believed was the culmination of your life’s work and you find yourself in a position that now requires you to develop new dreams and set new goals. What’s next?
What is it that God has in store for you? Are you developing new goals and dreaming new dreams? Asking God to show you and lead you can be the answer you are seeking. You must know the things you have always wanted to do are possible. For with God all things are possible. As the scriptures teaches us in Matthew 19:26, “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” Write your vision down make it plain. Be a dreamer and put it into motion and make it a reality. Habakkuk 2:2 tells us clearly what to do. “And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.”
Being in your comfort zone can hinder you from the growth that you may be seeking. Having no vision can hinder you from achieving what you desire. Proverbs 29:18 teaches, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Set goals; whether it is as simple as people you want to talk to or organizations you want to be associated with. Stretch out; don’t be afraid. Ask questions. Take the first step.
Your comfort zone can be your hindrance. Don’t be afraid to move beyond what you are comfortable with. Have a vision, a dream and put it into motion and take the steps necessary to achieve what you desire in 2012.