I’ve been pushed out of my comfort zone several times in the past few days and thrust into things that scare me, like public speaking and opportunities that encourage me to try new things. But when I allow myself to stretch beyond my limits, God works in wondrous ways.
I’ve learned to say “no” to my fears and let God work because I know those situations will turn into my best stories and my favorite memories: like when I moved to Southern California for college and was the only one from my town to go, and when I flew across the country by myself to study for a semester in Washington, D.C., and completed my first internship. The thing that makes actually doing these things incredible is that I can be a timid person, and I am very much an introvert.
Had I given in to fear and stayed within my comfort zone, I would have missed out on many positive, life-changing experiences. Fear is not our conscience talking. It doesn’t always imply that what we’re about to dive into is something we’ll regret. More often than not, it’s Satan trying to hinder God’s plan and keep us from His blessings.
It’s interesting when someone who believes in you more than you feel like you believe in yourself, presents you with an opportunity. Someone presented me with an opportunity the other day and told me that when we limit ourselves to what we think we can and cannot do, we also limit God.
We must not limit God by limiting ourselves. He makes all things possible, and when Christ is in us, we are unstoppable warriors set out to conquer the tasks He calls us to do.
There is a passage in Scripture I read for inspiration when I know God is calling me to do something that scares me. It encourages me when I start doubting myself:
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:6-7, ESV).
Have no fear in fanning into flame the gifts God has given you and is asking you to use. Even though it might scare you and force you out of your comfort zone, I hope you join me this week in seizing opportunities God gives you to grow. It might involve your career, your passion or something new God is calling you into.
Believe in yourself, because God has prepared you for this moment. The person presenting you with the opportunity believes in you, and more importantly, God believes in you. Don’t allow fear to keep you from something good.
You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength. If you don’t let go of fear and obey God’s call, He can surely put someone else in your place. But God doesn’t make mistakes, and He is calling you.
If you’re not faced this week with an opportunity that forces you out of your comfort zone in a positive way, what was your experience the last time you said “no” to fear and “yes” to God?
