Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

Have you ever avoided doing something or not gone after an opportunity because of fear? Has fear ever kept you in your comfort zone? Do you ever dream of doing bigger things but feel not good enough in one way or another? I can say yes to all of those!

Two years ago, God began working on my heart, and a phrase He gave me—which I wrote on my whiteboard—was: “Get comfortable being uncomfortable.” Now, this sounds like two opposite concepts that don’t really make sense together, but I think many of the principles Jesus taught felt this way at first. That’s why His disciples would later ask Him, “What did that even mean, Jesus?”

Lately, I’ve challenged myself in a few areas that have always been very hard for me. One of my biggest fears is public speaking, so I joined a group called Toastmasters. In this group, you give planned speeches and are also called upon to answer unexpected questions—called Table Topics—in front of everyone. For many, this may sound like torture, and to be honest, as I prepared for my first speech, it was a bit torturous. I was fearful and nervous, but I did it!

I’m giving my second speech tomorrow, and you know what? I don’t feel the same amount of anxiety. I realized that I can do it, and it’s not as scary as I thought it would be. Of course, it’s still humbling as I’m learning to do it well—but I have to start somewhere, right?

What is something you’ve thought about doing in your life but felt was impossible because of this reason or that reason?

God never called us to comfort or to stay on the sidelines of life. This doesn’t mean we will all be in front of others—but what if that’s exactly what He asks of you? Do you think Moses ever imagined he would be called back to speak to Pharaoh to free God’s people after what he had done? He had murdered a man and then went into hiding for 40 years. He probably thought that was all that was written for him. Little did he realize that only God gets to write the story.

He has created each of us for a special purpose, and if you are a Christian, you have an important part to play in the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12 talks all about the importance of each part of the body and how we all contribute to its function. This may mean you need to jump out of the stands and join the race—becoming a participant, not just a spectator, in God’s Kingdom.

Is God calling you to something you’ve been saying “no” or “no way” to? Pray about it and write down your fears. God has not given us a spirit of fear, so ask Him to show you how to overcome those fears and step out of your comfort zone.

Heidi