How many times have you heard someone say that you need to get out of or expand your comfort zone? Have you ever said it to yourself? Yet I am not sure that a comfort zone is really a comfort zone. I think it may be a fear zone, for there a whole lot of people I have talked to who are anything but comfortable in their supposed comfort zone. If you would like to explore the possibility that your comfort zone isn't what you think it is, then I invite you to read on.
FEAR ZONE
Let's consider the apostles for a moment, shall we? These men were with Jesus until He left earth, when His last instructions were for them to go to the ends of the earth. The apostles, whose name in Greek means "sent forth," were afraid to venture out of Jerusalem because they did not like to be around Gentiles. Even though God had spoken to them (see last week's Memo), they were stuck in a zone, but it was anything but comfortable for them.
Their comfort zone was really a fear zone. They were afraid of missing the Lord, of what other Jews would say and think, of doing the wrong thing, of touching the unclean, of venturing out into new things and contact with people who didn't think and act like they did. While it appeared that they were in their comfort zone, they were not. How could they be comfortable with so much fear and trepidation?
It wasn't until they got free from their fear and hang-ups that they could be comfortable with who and where they were and then embrace what they needed to do and be. I would say that the first step in venturing out of one's comfort zone is to be truly at comfort and ease with your present reality -- with who you are and what God has purposed for you to do.
PORTABLE COMFORT ZONES
I found this true in my own life. Until I discovered who I was and stopped pretending to be who I wasn't, I could not venture out of my little world. I only wanted to be with people like me because I was afraid to confront people who thought and acted differently than I. I could not venture out of my comfort zone because I didn't have a comfort zone. I only had a fortress that was built to keep me in and others out. I also didn't want to try new things or venture into the unknown. That's all changed today. I know who I am and therefore I am free to change and make mistakes trying.
So are you in a comfort zone or a fear zone that you are trying to disguise as comfortable? Are you afraid or are you so comfortable with who you are and what God has given you to do that you can experiment and learn new things? Don't worry too much about getting out of your comfort zone until you find where it truly is.
When you do that, you will have the courage and self understanding that will enable you to actually carry our comfort zone into the new and uncomfortable. You will have portable and expandable comfort zones that go where you go, because your comfort zone isn't external but internal. When you achieve that, you will learn, grow and be the person of purpose that God always intended you to be. Have a great week!
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FAITH FILES eBOOK: As I announced two weeks ago, my latest book, The Faith Files,
is now available as an ebook that you can download. What's more, the
service allows you to pay in Canadian dollars, US dollars, UK pounds,
Australian dollars and, get this, Indian rupees! Just go to the ebook website,
enter your payment information and download the book. You can then
print it or have it on your computer for your devotional pleasure.
CHRISTMAS GIFT: A Daily Dose of Proverbs, my popular daily devotional, makes a great Christmas present that can bless your staff, friends and family every day of the year. If you purchase a copy by November 30, I will pay the shipping in the U.S. You can send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA 15221 or make a donation of $15 for each copy you would like on my PayPal account through my website and we will get it right out to you.
MEET WITH ME IN DECEMBER: If you would like to meet with me to have a PurposeQuest session while I am in Nairobi in December, you can also send me an email to let me know you are interested. I have one Sunday free while I am there, so if you would like me to speak in your church on December 7, please let me know.
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