Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone by Amy Ford

How often do we stay in our comfort zones because we are scared of the unknown? We continue a mundane day-to-day routine because it is what we know … and nothing ever changes. Sometimes we even hate our lives and complain about our dreams not coming true or wish some great opportunity would come our way, but we are too scared to step out and do something about it. We settle into complacency, avoiding the discomfort of the action necessary for our dreams to become reality.

It seems lately I have had to do a lot of stretching in new areas of my life. At first I have gotten so excited and thankful for the open doors and opportunities God so obviously provided. They are opportunities matching exactly the dreams God put on my heart. These kinds of dreams make my palms sweaty, where I feel the most alive thinking about everything that could be. And the time between the dream place in my heart and stepping out to make my dreams a reality is almost anti-climactic during the waiting period. As the nearness of reality approaches I am SO thrilled and delighted about what my future holds, but the closer the date gets, the excuses start creeping in of how maybe I should not do this after all.

It’s really far away. I’ll have to get a sitter. I don’t have anything to wear. I won’t have time to get my hair done before. What if I forget what I am supposed to say? What if I make a fool of myself? I’m so not qualified for this. Someone else who is more capable should do this.

I get nervous about being “stretched,” even though deep down this is my DREAM becoming reality. In the bottom of my heart I know God has gotten me this far and He is not just going to leave me now. He will carry me through and equip me with everything I need, but those thoughts of doubt creep in anyway. However, to accomplish a dream, we have to DO and ACT on it even when it feels a little uncomfortable as we step out of that safe zone we are accustomed to.

Sometimes the hardest part is just showing up. Sometimes you just have to take a deep breath, be brave, and show up. Just recently that is what I did; I showed up. Then I took another deep breath and I got on that stage. Then I took another deep breath and started sharing everything God placed on my heart to share. And then I finished. I took a deep breath and it was the best feeling in the world. My actions and just showing up completely conquered thoughts of doubt and worry. Dreams were coming true.

What seems impossible to me, all of a sudden becomes totally possible with God on my side. My uncomfortable zone became a little more comfortable. I did it. WE did it. All I had to do was just show up.

I pray that what is uncomfortable for me today becomes comfortable tomorrow. But I also pray that I never become complacent and am always being stretched, trying new things, and living big.

The uncomfortable zone is sometimes where the magic happens. We grow, learn, change and inspire people while we face our fears. If we all laid in bed with the covers over our heads, scared to step towards our dreams, the world would be SO boring! I remember my pastor shared a sermon a while back about prayer. He said something I have never forgotten, “You can pray and pray to become a good writer, but you have to actually put your pen to the paper so He can answer your prayer.”

God is waiting on us to make the first move—to step out in faith that He will fulfill the dream He’s called us to act on!

Being stuck in our comfort zones is almost like a prison. We are confined and restricted by our own fears and doubts. We make up reasons and excuses of why we are not qualified, when GOD is who qualifies us! We all hold this golden key of blessing and favor that can release us from our prisons, but we have to actually insert and turn the key to open the door. We have to take what is sometimes uncomfortable action in order to turn our big dreams into reality.

It’s YOUR move. Blessing and favor are in your hand … use them. If we all walk in the destiny and purpose God has for us we could CHANGE THE WORLD!

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Meet The Author

Amy Ford

Amy Ford is the co-founder of Embrace Grace, Inc., inspiring the church to provide emotional, practical and spiritual support for single young girls who find themselves with an unplanned pregnancy. Once in that situation herself, she has a heart for these broken-hearted girls and wants to share the hope of Jesus. Amy lives in Arlington, Texas with her husband and children. For more information, visit amyford.com.

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