Fear: Stepping Outside of Your Comfort Zone
In this week's blog post, lets dive into how fear keeps you from stepping into your purpose and ways to combat those fears spritually.
FAITH
Maya
7/1/20266 min read
Fear: Stepping Outside of your Comfort zone
There have been many times when we have been in circumstances that pushed us outside our comfort zone or brought immense fear before we engaged in the task. Fear is an emotional response to what we perceive as dangerous or an actual threat to safety. We often experience somatic responses that can make it nearly impossible to deal with fear. (We will discuss somatic responses in more detail in the next blog post!) So stay tuned!
In this blog post, we will focus on how fear and our comfort zones can affect our ability to step into our purpose. Until this year, I didn't realize how much fear kept me from pursuing many opportunities. I always found myself saying "That just isn't me" or "I don't want to do that, "But I never really sat down to conceptualize the true reason I didn't want to engage in those opportunities. I've come to realize that two things can be true: I really didn't want to do it, and the opportunity presented to me made me feel fearful because it would have pushed me outside my comfort zone. For me, my comfort zone is getting familiar with a system or a way of doing something and sticking with it until it becomes second nature. Now, I enjoy learning new things and taking on challenges, but initially, there is a lot of hesitation, and at times, someone or my circumstances has to push me outside of comfort zone. I thank the Lord each day for placing me around individuals who challenge me professionally and personally to step outside of my comfort zone, because it has truly helped build my skills and character. I don't typically veer off and try something new on my own accord. I'm likely to take the safest option. At times, I do like to take risks, but not at the expense of my own comfort. However, In the past year and a half, God has provided many opportunties to widen my tolerance for uncertainty by taken on challenges that have pushed me outside of my comfort zone professionally and personally. Let's discuss ways in which you too can overcome fear spritually.
How to overcome Fear Spiritually?
Increase your Hunger to know God.
There was a sermon from my Pastor, Apostle Steve Green, that discussed how if we don't have a fierce hunger that matches the enemy's hunger, the enemy "will walk all over you". The only way to defeat the enemy is to ensure that your hunger matches the enemy's hunger to destroy you. So in order to do so one must be well balanced, self disciplined, alert, and stand firm in your faith to withstand the attacks of the enemy (1 peter 5:8, AMP).
My fear or discomfort does not outweigh my desire to obey the instructions given to me by the Holy Spirit. Thus, despite my discomfort, I will make the decision to be obedient and carry out those instructions. My hunger to please the Lord overshadows the doubts and fears that the enemy will use to try to distract me. Thus, fear no longer holds weight in my decision-making process. I'm aware of how fear influenced me in the past, and now I'm intentionally assessing my reasoning for declining an opportunity. If I find that my decision is "No" because it takes me out of my comfort zone, I will take the opposite action: I will seize the opportunity and allow the Lord to use me. It is important to note that, as a believer in Christ, the Holy Spirit dwells inside of you and is guiding and counseling you every step of the way, only if you allow him to. Having this understanding brings me peace and confidence to tackle new assignments, trusting his guidance every step of the way.
Carve out Prayer Time!
Prayer prayer prayer! God wants a relationship with you. He wants to speak to you and guide you. Thus, it's important to be intentional and carve out time to be in his presence.
Read your Bible
Find scriptures that bring you comfort. Having scriptures in your arsenal to refer to when you notice fear creeping in can be beneficial. Here are a few of my go-to scriptures:
1. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
The first verse states that there is no need to be afraid because God is with you. God wants you to recognize that he's right next to you, that he's there to guide you, to help you, and to strengthen you.
Before even starting this particular blog, Isaiah 41:10 was a verse that kept popping up during my morning prayer. And each time I hear it, and each time I read it, it brings me a sense of comfort and peace because he is truly there, right there. Each time I say that verse, there's a sense of peace and calmness that is released within my body. Quiets my rumination; it truly is a powerful message and a great reminder in moments of fear.
2. The Lord is my Light and Salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid ? (Psalms 27)
Over the past year, the Lord has been revealing to me how the enemy has used fear and doubt to keep me cornered or trapped in a "comfortable box". I have come to realize that fear is a tool the enemy uses to exploit the areas of our lives where we feel most uncomfortable or vulnerable. The enemy will do everything in his power to ensure we are distracted and unable to reach our fullest potential and carry out our purpose. Today, I'm still growing spiritually, but fear no longer has a seat at my table. It's a daily battle I've chosen to stand firm in, refusing to seek escape or run away. Instead, I rise to every challenge or opportunity, building confidence to step outside my comfort zone because fear is not my future-God is!
3. I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13) I remember growing up with this verse being a daily word my family would repeat each morning before school. This verse gave me the confidence to tackle any challenges faced at school.
Have Faith
To have faith in God means that you have unwavering trust that no matter what you have up ahead, you know without a doubt that the battle is already won! That sort of faith will have you stepping outside of your comfort zone and allowing him to mold and form you into what he has called you to be.
When you're in your comfort zone, you want to do everything you can to stay in it, whether that's avoiding a certain person, place, or thing that threatens it. However, a lack of awareness of how your comfort zone keeps you from engaging in assignments that God has called you to complete. Your comfort zone can become a state of complacency. When we experience a state of complacency, we find that we accept the person we are, the skills we have, and where we are financially, spiritually, occupationally, and socially. We are less likely to look for opportunities for change or growth. We may even notice that when new opportunities arise, we feel the fear so strongly that we end up opting out of many of them. It is important to recognize that fear can be debilitating, keeping you from attempting to take the next step; it will keep you from full alignment with God. We are chosen vessels. God has called us to do great and wonderful works. How can we carry out our purpose if we are fearful? It's quite impossible to step into purpose with fear. Thus, fearlessly taking the next step and trusting that God is beside you, guiding you, and providing the strength to complete the task. This allows you to build experiences in which you trust in God and can lean on those experiences in moments of fear. You will notice that the fear won't last for too long.
Staying in your comfort zone can keep you from trusting in the Lord because of complacency. Thus, if you're unwilling to take that next step, you may be struggling with a lack of trust and faith in the Lord.
I want to encourage you: if there is something the Lord has called you to do but you feel fear or worry about doing something you've never done before, say "yes" to it and trust in the Lord, who will strengthen and guide you.
Questions to Ponder Until Next Time:
What is one thing the Lord has called you to do, but fear has gotten in the way?
Do you have a go-to scripture that helps you in moments of fear?
Leave a comment Below!
Fierce Hunger Video:
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