Comfort In Our Discomfort Zones

Comfort zones tend to keep us in a bubble, a safe bubble where no one can hurt us or bother us for the most part, at least that’s what we usually think. But it’s still a bubble which can keep us from experiencing everything else, especially what Jesus has for us.

When we get pushed beyond what we know and currently experience, we feel discomfort, right? It’s something new so we become hesitant or unwilling to go beyond. Why? Several reasons. It could be we’re afraid, afraid of the unknown. Also, since we’re creatures of habit, and our habit is usually what makes us comfortable.

Here’s some scenarios. We don’t want to meet new people because it is scary at times. We don’t want to teach a class because we lack the experience and don’t know how the class will react to us. We don’t want to feel humiliated, embarrassed, or a failure. We all understand that, and we can all identify with those feelings and experiences. Yet, moving out of our comfort zone is good for us.

Yet, moving out of your comfort zone can be a good thing. I read an account on social media of a young lady who is a school teacher and yet begin a new online business and even mentioned she was pushing herself out of her comfort zone. After a few months she said she was glad she had. She’s enjoying her job, and making new friends.

During my high school years I was very shy. In my church youth group I felt like an outsider, but I decided I’d push myself out of my comfort zone to become part of the youth group. I did, and found I loved being involved with the youth group. Pushing past the discomfort enabled me to handle other challenging situations in college and beyond.

Look at Zaccheus (Luke 19). He was comfortable as a tax collector and taking people’s money, yet once he met Jesus, his former comfort became his discomfort. He changed, and for the better.

Learning to handle something new can definitely move us from our comfort zone. Whether the situation is small or large, Jesus is always there. In fact, Jesus promised a Comforter to help us during these times—the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). Whatever the challenge, God’s unfailing love and abundant grace is available for you. When you step into a challenge, you’ve got Jesus encouraging you onward. You’re more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37), and you can conquer being comfortable in any situation because He lives in you.