Comfort zones, we all have them and desperately long to live right in the middle of them, but should we? Beyond spending life in your favorite athletic pants and t-shirt, what is gained out of being comfortable?

I have essentially been living outside my comfort zone since last June/July. It has been a daily challenge to find something that resembles the life I was living before this journey began. But God. He has been the constant steady encouraging me to walk boldly into the unknown. He has been there when I felt alone and He has been there when I felt like I was bravely facing each decision that the day brought my way. I can honestly say that I no longer feel like I have a comfort zone. Everyday brings something new or a first for me and at 45 that can be overwhelming and exhausting. Even as I write this I am experiencing a first. I have traveled away from my home to meet people I have never met and stayed in a strangers home all to attend a women’s conference that I truly believe holds something for me. I should say that on day 0 these lovely women were strangers and now they are my friends. They know my story and have welcomed me and treated me not like a fragile person with a new label, but a strong woman that has endured and survived. This has helped me feel comfortable, but I am far from anything resembling a comfort zone.

Reflecting on my life I can see that comfort zones have led to complacency. We frequently face situations and seasons of comfort that do not challenge us physically, spiritually, or emotionally. There are times where comfort in my walk with God has led to laziness in my faith. Where I was just walking through the motions and not truly going all in for God. Where I would quote or post that scripture, but friend there is no anointing in Instagram or any social media platform. We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus. This means that we carry the anointing. So if we are comfortable and complacent then who is left carrying the anointing?

If you look at the life of Esther there was nothing comfortable about how she lived. She was a young woman who was chosen to be one of many wives of the king. She had an uncle who asked a big favor, he wanted her to save their people. She had a position that while she could be comfortable being one of many, she immediately had to choose the uncomfortable. She had to break protocol and trust that the Lord was going to protect her and provide favor as she obeyed. God worked in her and through her to ultimately save their people. She was called for such a time as this, just as we are. 

So, if we have been called to this time and this place, what are we doing with our calling? What are we doing to ensure that we do not get complacent? What is our response to God when He asks us to do something so far outside our comfort zone?

I can tell you that what you are reading, this blog, this was a big ask. He asked me to write. He asked me to share. He asked me to be honest with my journey. So what you are reading is not me, it is God working through me. It is God challenging me to stay uncomfortable. It is God redeeming my story. It is taking what Satan meant for destruction and turning it into life. 

Friend, will you step outside your comfort zone? Will you choose the uncomfortable moments knowing that you are choosing obedience? I hope so, because what you find in those uncomfortable moments is peace and joy that is only provided by our loving Heavenly Father.