When is the last time you really stepped out of your comfort zone? Have you felt prompted to do something but you talked yourself out of it? What’s holding you back?
I believe more than anything else, fear holds us back.
Fear of rejection. Fear of judgment. Fear of failure. Fear of embarrassment. Fear of change. Fear of regret. Fear of inadequacy. Fear of attention, or losing control, or getting hurt, or being wrong.
We can’t conquer our fear without identifying it first. These fears are totally normal – but they can also serve as excuses for our inaction.
These fears aren’t productive – they are limiting. Instead of fearing failure, judgment, inadequacy, or rejection, I want to fear the Lord.
“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.” Proverbs 9:10 NLT
Fear of the Lord doesn’t mean I’m hiding from God, or running away, or cowering afraid. It means I recognize that He is God and I am not. He is all-powerful, and I am not. He is all-knowing, and I am not. He is holy, perfect, and constant, and I am not. He is the beginning and the end, Alpha and Omega – I am not.
He is the center of it all – I am not.
See, here’s the thing about comfort zones – they don’t require a whole lot of faith. Maybe you’re not a great speaker, or you don’t know the right words to say. Maybe you’re afraid to reach out to that person God keeps bringing to mind. Maybe there are other people out there who are more skilled, more educated, more naturally outgoing. Take the step. It doesn’t have to be a huge leap. Step out in faith. It’s not about what you can comfortably do… it’s about what God can do through you when you’re willing to be uncomfortable.
“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”
2 Cor. 12:9 NLT
Kristen Stewart, Writer 