5 Ways to Exit our Comfort Zone
Posted: October 27, 2016
We love the comfort zone of habits. Sitting in our usual church pews, visiting with the same friends, eating at our favourite restaurant and travelling the same route to work each morning take the guesswork out of our complicated life. It’s easier to stay home and watch Netflix series, lounge around in our P.J’s and converse through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Staying within our comfort zone is like a security blanket that keeps us from worrying or looking stupid. But it can also make us predictable and boring.
We need to know when it’s time to let go and move into a new season.
Yesterday on my walk I came across a pear orchard, splendid in its brilliant harvest colours. I was busy clicking pictures when I noticed a single pear hanging on for dear life. I could almost hear it saying: “I like it here. Leave me alone, I’m not ready to move into the next season.”
If we’re ever going to experience the fullness of who God created us to be we need to know when to let go of a certain season, step out of our comfort zone and move on. I know we all want our relationships, marriages and careers to flourish.
How do we start?
- Change your thoughts. Comfort zones are safe places so we need to step into our fears of what change might look like. It starts by harnessing our negative feelings and replacing them with positive words. Pray and ask God to help you be all that He designed you to be. There is a big and beautiful world out there that God wants us to know and experience it. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT).
- Change your pattern. Imagine the joy of a new Bible Study group, different route to work, fresh conversations with different friends or a new sport activity. Picture a different approach on your finances, perhaps a more satisfying job or even a different wardrobe.
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- Let go of: “This is just the way I am.” Life is always about learning and unlearning, changing, moving, creating and growing. Every one of us is full of potential for greatness. You and I lack nothing in order to achieve joy and fulfillment in every area of our life. God is in the “people changing business” and He can transform us so that we are living our out full potential.
- Surround yourself with great people. God made us to be connected to encourage and help one another. Often we are so entrenched in our predictability that we don’t even see the other possibilities. Trusted friends can help us move forward by being the mirror that shows our blind spots.
- Know that joy comes in the morning. Your comfort season may be due to grief, disappointment or health struggles. The bible says: “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5 NLT). There is a new season waiting my friend. Allow yourself the time of grief and sadness, but also know when that season needs to come to an end.
One of life’s biggest regrets is: “I wish I had been more true to myself.” Don’t let this be your regret my friend. Seek God with all your heart and allow Him to help you find the ultimate joy and fulfillment you are looking for.
You can find more information on this topic in my book BEAUTY UNEASHED: Transforming a Woman’s soul on my website: www.heartconnection.ca/book-store/ pages 117-130.
