FROM THE COMFORT ZONE TO WHERE LIFE REALLY HAPPENS (OUTSIDE IT)

Image courtesy of www.loc.gov

A question was asked to me a couple of weeks ago, phrased in this way…  “What things do you see in your personal life where you might be resisting change?” (Think about this for some time before proceeding to read and hold on to your answer)

Frustration tends to build up when things do not go as expected. Change is something each of us responds to differently. There are those who see it as an adventure. Their adrenaline shoots up at the thought of experiencing something or somewhere new. Others like myself take time to embrace it, calculating every single step as we move along. We like to know the details of where we are, what we ought to do, and better still what the future will hold. We dwell mostly in the questioning quarters than boarding the bus headed to “new”. 

The word “new” scares us. We’d rather be comfortable with what we know, than be put in a place that expects us to figure things out on our own; and if it takes us being on our own, then so be it. We are known to survive! And it is normal…

But mark this, not everything ‘normal’ is designed to keep you safe. Not everything ‘normal’ is designed to keep you established. Not everything ‘normal’ is designed to sustain you. Not everything ‘normal’ is designed to bring out the best from you. Our minds are programmed to having things happen a certain way- and when they don’t we go into a state of frenzy and some sadly give up without a second thought of persevering, and pushing through until they get to their destination. 

I, for one had become very sullen over the past few weeks which led to me giving excuses as to why I was not or did not want to be actively around people. I had my own “to do” list and had figured that I’d have to make ends meet come rain, come sunshine- from finishing school in three years, to getting a job, to doing a masters, write a book etc. Each of these had deadlines on them, but as you go along, life can sometimes take you ten steps back when you had progressively made five ahead (and it is very disappointing I  must add)

The truth is this, when the enemy wants to strike you while in disappointment, he does not really do it in a crowd; he convinces you to be isolated. Isolation comes from comparison of one's self to others, which then produces ill feelings about one’s self and eventually a corrupt mind, due to the belief that no good could come out of the season they are in. That is why we have many human beings who walk around hopeless, simply because their minds are so absorbed on their issues that they forget to look inward on He who is greater. 

P.T. Forsyth says it best in this way, that “Unless there is within us that which is above us, we will soon yield to that which is about us”.

You see the devil, he works; but my declaration as God's child should be that “I know a man named Jesus, who is the author and the finisher of my faith” (Heb. 12:2).

Nevertheless as I trust Him concerning the changes in my life (or none currently happening), I have a responsibility to live out a life worthy of the calling. This does not necessarily mean I should preach the gospel Sunday to Sunday, but it as a simple as reflecting Christ in the lifestyle that I live each day. To ‘reflect’ according to the free dictionary means, to make apparent; express or manifest. That is to say that when people notice you, they should notice Christ and experience Him through you. Philippians 2:5 in the New Century Version puts it this way, “In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.”

Develop an attitude of gratitude for the simple things such as life, family, friends, good health, parents that care and support you, a creative mind just to mention a few (We have SO MUCH to thank God for). Making the most of each opportunity and fostering a culture of creating rather than waiting for opportunity is an attitude many need to adapt. It takes one to examine what God has given them to be motivated to seek out where they can be of use not only in the market place but in the furtherance of God’s kingdom.

 

Illustration by Clifford Happer

Growth requires change and it is that very change that scares me greatly, however these words of wisdom by a friend were used to somewhat bring peace to my troubled heart and challenge me to move from where I was literally lounging; “there’s no growth in the comfort zone and there’s no comfort in growth”. When God wants you to grow He makes you uncomfortable.” 

A smooth sail never made a great sailor. It is the resistance through every oncoming storm that brought out a different kind of energy, an active mind, prayerful soul and a daring spirit whilst sailing to an intended destination. Sometimes we get so used to having things happen a particular way, using specific methods, through specific people at specific times. And when the norm is broken, we become clueless on the way forward. We panic, we fear, we withdraw to try and find possible solutions (which can only be found outside the comfort zone). I’m saying this because I’m facing the same reality of having to get up, step out and move forward.

 

We have a whole world around us, each of us given the same amount of time in a day, to put into use the gifts, skills and talents that we have in the places that we are in (whether we do or do not have jobs… at the very least, we have minds, so get creative!). The thing is this though, you never plan to reach a destination and expect it to come to you. You plan for a destination and step out to create a path that leads to it; not just for you, but for the possible generation that is to come after you.

Do not get comfortable being comfortable; get comfortable being uncomfortable- for in that season lies a greater strength, a chance to not only apply but acquire more knowledge and wisdom. It is a time to apply your faith, it is your time to soar far beyond your limited mindset, it is the best time to experience the character of God for yourself and develop a testimony that could be maintained as a legacy for you who is an ambassador of the kingdom of God.

Finally I leave you with these words that my dear mum said to me as a wake-up call;

“Sometimes, life is not always 1+1=2.

Sometimes, life will be 1+1=0.

Life doesn’t always give you an automatic expected result. You may work hard, but still life produces more lemons.

Don’t throw them away, pick each of them and make yourself some lemonade.

And don’t forget to share with one or two people.”

Embrace the change, and make the most out of it with the much that you have received from God to gain from it!