I’m Uncomfortable
Moving to a new city. Starting at a new school. Asking someone to hang out. Talking about Jesus with a stranger. All of these things can be uncomfortable. Maybe we don’t want to do something, but we feel called to do it. Maybe we prayed for the Lord to stretch us, but when he finally does, we want to take that prayer request back. But what we oftentimes forget is that the uncomfortable is where we grow the most. No one ever gets better by sitting at home alone and doing the bare minimum. We must step up and out of our comfort zone if we ever want to change and be better than we were the day before.
For me, one of the most uncomfortable things I ever said yes to was going on The Bachelor. At the time I really didn’t know why I needed to say yes, but I felt the Lord leading me there. I was trying so hard to hear the Lord say, “No, this isn’t where I want you.” But instead, I just kept feeling the nudge that it was my next step, so I finally said yes. It was a season of stepping out in obedience and learning to solely rely on the Lord. I was leaving behind my family and my community who were the people that always encouraged me in my faith and in who I am. I left them to join a group of people that I didn’t know. It was uncomfortable. I was scared. But during that time, I realized that I had to depend on the Lord and trust his plan. I may not have had any idea what the Lord was doing, but I learned what it looked like to truly rely on him. To walk into something completely blind of what may come, but also completely at peace knowing the Lord was walking with me.
What I’ve realized over the years of going through many “uncomfortable” seasons is that God created me for so much more than just happiness and comfort, at least in the way that we that we usually think about happiness and comfort. For us, happiness might be a movie night on the couch or a weekend trip with some friends. Those things are great, don’t get me wrong! But are they challenging you to grow and learn? There’s nothing wrong with doing things that make us happy, as long as we are also being obedient to things that are new and uncomfortable. Things that stretch us and make us 1% better than we were yesterday.
Stepping into the uncomfortable is hard and scary, but it is also beautiful and rewarding. In those moments, God is transforming you, pushing you, teaching you and inviting you into abundantly more. The Lord takes us into uncomfortable situations to grow us and increase our dependence on Him. Oftentimes living within our comfort zone gives us this false sense of security that we can do it all on our own. But when we take risks and step outside of that, we can see more clearly our dependence and need for Him and how everything around us could change, but when we cling to Him, we are still secure and taken care of. He leads us into the uncomfortable, but he won’t leave us there. Lean on him. Trust him. Let him do what only he can do in your life!
I want to encourage you that, while stepping out of your comfort zone can be overwhelming, you shouldn’t be fearful. In 2 Timothy 1:7 Paul writes, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” By God’s grace and kindness, we can have peace knowing that there is meaning in these seasons. And we can walk into them with power and excitement because we know the truth of God’s word. I don’t know about you, but that brings me immense joy and makes me trust the Lord even more. He knows you and he knows what you are capable of when you walk obediently with him. So, step out! Accept whatever opportunity God is giving you with open hands, and trust that it will leave you better and draw you closer to him!
Challenges:
Say yes. With open hands, accept what the Lord has for you. Pray this prayer: “Lord, I receive what you have placed in front of me. I will say yes to you, even when it is uncomfortable and scary. Lead me on the path that you have planned for my life.”
Commit. Once you say yes, I challenge you to fully commit. Don’t just dip your toe, jump all the way in!
Trust the Lord. Trust that stepping into the unknown is for your good and his glory! Make the most of this life he has given you!
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for another day! Thank you for the many blessings and gifts you have given us, may we never take them for granted. Thank you for growth and the chance to learn and get closer to you. I pray that we would learn to say “yes” to you even when we are unsure and uncomfortable. Give us peace to walk in obedience to you and your calling on our lives. Your way is better! Help us to recognize that, stepping out of our comfort zone and into whatever you have for us. We trust you and we give you all the praise and honor! In Jesus’ name! Amen!