COMPLACENCY
There is a super cozy place that I could happily see myself entrenched in for the rest of my life. It’s called my comfort zone and it’s my place that is free from the threat of fear.
Throughout my walk with Christ I’ve noticed a persistent nudge to not only ditch my comfort zone, but to proceed in new uncomfortable ways. I’m not going to lie, sometimes those nudges can create fear inside of me, for instance the fear of not creating this blog thinking no one would read it. The joke would have been on me right?
Sometimes the shy introverted voice inside wins out. Then I end up in my comfort zone with my hands folded in my lap. That is when I know that I have missed out. I have stood still when God had placed a stirring inside me to move. Almost immediately regret enters the picture. I know that I have allowed my fear of the unknown to outweigh the prompting to move.
It always weighs heavily upon my heart. I think you’ve probably been there as well. We all have. So how do we change it? How do we overcome the fear of the unfamiliar? I think if we become knowledgeable about what fear actually is, it will help us to recognize it before it closes in.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
As we can read in this verse above fear and timidity actually work against the Holy Spirit; which is of power, love, and self-discipline. It sneaks in and renders you helpless.
When we are facing moments of fear and being stretched further than we thought we could go, it is the perfect time to fall on our knees and pray to the one from which all good things flow from. He will be our strength in our weakness. He will provide the courage we need to be obedient to His call. When we humble ourselves and lay at His feet it is then that we recognize that it is not by our strength, but His. His Spirit gets us through those fearful moments.
There is a long list of those who are named in the Bible who could have easily resided in their place of comfort. How different things would have been if those named in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11 would have tarried in fear.
Moses had fled from fear of death in Egypt to a safe place in the land of Midian where he got married and even had a daughter. When God spoke to him from the burning bush Moses could have let fear rule him instead of stepping out in faith to return to Egypt.
He could have stayed with his wife and child and he even would have had a valid excuse of providing for his own family. Instead Moses listened to God and moved in obedience to His will. It was then that God used Moses to convince Pharaoh to let His people go. That same obedience is what He desires from us so that we can be used for His Kingdom work in the world today.
Are You Willing to Get Uncomfortable?
Just as the Godly Men and Women of old were willing to choose faith over fear, we too must be willing to take a stand.
Some of the disciples were willing to immediately leave their fishing nets, follow Jesus, and become fishers of men. James and John even left their own father behind in a boat. We need to trust that when we step out God will show up. Whether it be answering the call to write, sing, or start a ministry. Any kingdom work the Lord has assigned to you must be done with great fervor and with special urgency so that many are saved. For time is short. It is when we are obedient that we become useful for every good work.