Another Look – Comfort Zone

By Amy Coffey

Hopefully I am not the only mother that does this, but often, right after I have given my children profound advice or instructions, I soon find myself in a situation where I want to do opposite the wisdom I just shared.  I quickly roll my eyes, mutter “stink” and then heed to my own advice OR I quickly spout out “do as I say not as I do” … oops (please tell me I’m not alone?).      This article has served that numerous times to me over the past few years after writing it.   I often want to back away, cry, get angry when finding myself put in uncomfortable situations.  I forget the lessons I have learned over and over (and even put in writing).  I forget that perhaps soon, this uncomfortable thing, will be something I can do while texting, AND drinking a coke zero (HIGHLY NOT RECOMMENDED THOUGH).  Or it may be something I’m never comfortable with, like entering a new church for the very first time, speaking in public (especially in a foreign language), or keeping my house full of people, but my love for the Lord should compel me to get out of my comfort zone, as He did for me, and do what is right.
See a summary of the article that I personally have needed reminded of monthly ,weekly …ok ok… daily below.   Or click here to see the original article

Comfort Zone

When we first moved to SA 3 years ago  I wasn’t comfortable driving a manual, on the opposite of the road that I was use to, in a place where I knew no directions.    My husband encouraged me to drive him to the school to pick up the kids, I nervously pulled out of my comfortable neighborhood, my nerves were so strong they were causing my eyes to water.    Mark “encouraged” me to continue driving across town to our gym.   I DID NOT want to do this, these were roads I was really not comfortable with.   The car died even before I got out of the school parking lot, I changed into the wrong gear and heard the worse grinding noise ever,  I had no clue I was driving in a lane that ran out a half a mile ago, my usually talkative kids were deadly silent all the while I was, with tears in my eyes, telling my husband over and over, I can’t do this, I am not comfortable driving here!    I got to the gym, got on the treadmill and for the first 5 minutes was furious at my husband for pushing me to do something I wasn’t comfortable with.   My heart was literally racing and it had nothing to do with the exercise I was doing.   After I calmed down a little I remembered a few things.

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  1. I am capable of doing this:  I have been driving for 17  19 years, I’m not a baby, I CAN DO THIS.
  2. It’s not optional:  We don’t have an easy public transportation,  I HAVE TO DO THIS.
  3. The last thought I had was the most powerful for me:  Jesus got out of His comfort zone for me.  He did it because He loved me.  I love Him:  I WANT TO DO THIS.

 

  • Lying on hay in a manager:  NOT COMFORTABLE
  • Being different from all those around you:  NOT COMFORTABLE
  • Being far away from your home:  NOT COMFORTABLE
  • Being surrounded by mobs and constantly touched :  NOT COMFORTABLE
  • Having friends deny you:  NOT COMFORTABLE
  • Friends fall asleep and leave you feeling alone:  NOT COMFORTABLE
  • Being spat on:  NOT COMFORTABLE
  • Being Wrongly accused:  NOT COMFORTABLE
  • Being Beat:  NOT COMFORTABLE
  • Saying goodbye to a mom you love:  NOT COMFORTABLE
  • Hanging naked on across about to die:  NOT COMFORTABLE

 

He did all this for me and more because He loves me.   The hardest part about moving around the world for me hasn’t been, fear or loneliness, the hardest part has been simply getting out of my comfort zone.   I came to grasp that day in the gym that at times I will do some thing that are not comfortable:  driving a stick shift, trying to talk in another language, speaking in front of women on deputation, leaving my home, being alone, staying by myself at night etc…  But I do it not for men’s applaud but because I love Christ and He has asked me to do it.

What is it that we are not willing to do simply because we do not want to leave our comfort zone?  Even state side we won’t do things like pass out tracts, teach a Sunday School class, invite our neighbor to church because it is out of our comfort zone.    I pray I will always remember what he did for me and what He has asked of me is nothing in comparison.

Love,

Amy

 

Related posts:

  1. Comfort Zone
  2. The Deception of Comfort
  3. What it Feels like to be Bi-Cultural
  4. Ministering to Your Family During Tragedy
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  • April 4, 2016

    • 7 thoughts on “Another Look – Comfort Zone”

    1. Guilty of the same thoughts, this article opens up a perspective I need to be reminded of, daily. Can we really think our UNcomfort zone is the worst situation or circumstance, when Jesus had the least amount of comfort, being forsaken by God? I am glad to see this article today. It will be a wonderful reminder of God’s love and what we can do bc of it, to anyone that reads it. The encouragement to witness, and spread The Gospel, from reading this, is inspiring.

      Reply

    2. Thanks for sharing, Amy! Your love for the Lord and how it makes you step out of your comfort zone are an inspiration. Appreciate your challenge for me to step out of my stateside comfort zone too. God bless you & your ministry!

      Reply

    3. Even better than the first time I read it.. because now I can relate to driving to that school, and getting lost, and going all they way to the other side of town. haha

      Reply

      1. I would dare say the most uncomfortable place I’ve been is a passenger while you drive 🙂 🙂

        Reply

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