UNCOMFORTABLE

Starting school again.

Speaking Spanish.

Managing a band.

Driving on ice.

Running for exercise.

These are all things I consider uncomfortable.

Driving on ice through Snowmageddon 2013...

Nala, however, LOVED the snow & ice. Hysterical to watch her slide everywhere!

Question: So what is it about getting out of our comfort zone that's so scary? 

Answer: It stretches, pulls, hurts. Can be unfamiliar and/or possibly dangerous.

I have to be honest... Despite the discomfort, I don't think I'd have it any other way. When I find myself most uncomfortable is when I find myself at the foot of the cross and in constant communication with God. Even though whatever I'm going through may be stretching me and totally out of my comfort zone, it draws me near to the King. I guess I should consider it an honor that God is choosing to work in my life - even if it is a bit uncomfortable. 

I've finally decided that it's the fear of not having the approval of others and just plain failure that tends to hold me back. I can't say what it might be for you, but I encourage you to think about it. Most of the time my fear is equal to a lack of trust in God. I don't trust that God's going to take my burden and use it for His glory, and I tend to lack trust that He'll carry me through it all.  Funny thing is, I know I'll be stronger when I get to the other side, it's just the whole walking blindly in faith thing that can be difficult. I am learning to recognize the fear, release it to God and think about what the truth of God's Word says. Most of the time, the worst that could happen is really not that bad. 

For example, my most recent show- we had some glitches but it went well overall and I had a blast.

I understand that my idea of being uncomfortable is nothing compared to someone going through an illness or the loss of a loved one.  But to me, starting and managing a band and going back to finish my master's degree are the situations God has currently chosen to create in me a dependency on Him. 

What is life without a dependency upon God? Without a little bit of discomfort? God sent his Son so that we could live freely and without condemnation, not so we would worry or carry anxiousness with us every day (Believe me, I'm preaching to myself). We would have no need for a Savior if we were perfect human beings, and since we aren't, we need to lean on Him because we can! The quote below describes it best.

"Get comfortable with being uncomfortable."- Jillian Michaels

Read it again, "Get COMFORTABLE with being UNCOMFORTABLE."- Oh, Jillian! When I hear her say that, as I'm sweating bullets from my home workout video, it makes me snarl. Ironically, I find it to be true in many aspects of life.

To put a biblical spin on it, God's Word says, ""But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back." But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved."" Hebrews 10:38-39 (NIV) 

I don't know about you but I want to be the one who lives by faith, refuses to shrink back and changes the world for Christ. The scary or intimidating thing is, sometimes this may look like getting a bit uncomfortable for the Kingdom. I.E. stepping out boldly in faith, into an unknown or unfamiliar situation, knowing that the King has got our backs.

So what are the TRUTHS about my fears?

Starting school again. 

God is with me wherever I go (Joshua 1:9 NIV).

Speaking Spanish. 

God will provide what to say and how to say it (Luke 12:12 NIV).

Managing a band. 

God works through me and will give me the desire and power to do what pleases Him (Philippians 2:13).

Driving on ice. 

His angels guard me in all of my ways (Psalm 91:11 NIV).

Running for exercise. 

Honor God with my body because it is His temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV).

So what's currently making you feel uncomfortable? Make a list. Then go find what God's Truth says about it. That's the voice you should really listen to. If you like, you can join me on this journey of getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. Let's be people of faith who refuse to shrink back so we'll have great stories to tell of how our God used us in unique ways for His glory. People love to listen to folks who have great stories to tell, and I want to be one of them.