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Beyond Comfort

Hello, friends! I hope you are having a fantastic start to your week! I wanted to write a post today to reflect something the Lord has highlighted in my life over the past weekend…

A few months ago, I decided to impulsively buy a ticket to see my favorite rapper perform in Dallas, Texas. At first, I was so excited to have a weekend to myself… but as time got closer, spending a weekend in a busy city I had never been to before by myself started to have some anxious feelings accompanying it.

I went to the Lord for peace, and not only did He give me what I asked for, but He reminded me of something from scripture I had been reading – Jacob’s story from Genesis. In chapter 28, Jacob left Beersheba, moved to Haran, moved back to Canaan, settled in Shechem, traveled to Bethel, then to Bethlehem, and then to Hebron. That is a total of 1,149 miles.

Jacob’s journey is only one of very many – Moses in Exodus, Abraham in Genesis, Isaiah, and every disciple of Jesus were called to leave their home, where they were comfortable, and follow Him to new places.

I want to make this post on traveling, because as we read through the passages and see how God asks or calls people to physically move, they obey Him. What I think we dismiss is how anxious and different it is to accomplish this until we’ve been given the opportunity to do so.

I’m not saying Jacob’s journey from Beersheba to Haran is the same as my drive from Monroe, LA to Dallas, TX, but I have definitely felt the Lord speak to me in this time just as Jacob experienced spiritual growth. It doesn’t matter the distance; God can use anything to reveal His promises to us.

I want to mention Genesis 31:3 as Jacob is leaving Laban (his father-in-law) in Haran and traveling back to his homeland Canaan, God not only commands him but reassures him. “‘Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.’” Jacob’s initial feelings were marked by anxiousness and fear of the unknown. We’re all human, so this is a natural response for us. But he obeyed, despite those feelings.

Is that usually how we react to things God calls us to that are outside of our normal life or our comfort zone? Or do we tend to rationalize and convince ourselves that God would rather us stay where we are comfortable and familiar? I don’t think God asks us to obey crazy and huge commands in order to have a spiritual revelation, but I do think that when His Spirit places those desires or ideas in our heart, it means He is about to move in unimaginable and incomprehensible ways.

When I look at my life and all of the work God has done in me, I don’t think any of my growth happened in a place where I was comfortable. I found community by stepping out of what was familiar to me and walking into a church I had never been to before. I share the word by bringing my bible with me everywhere for faith-based conversations with strangers. I get an education by leaving my hometown of eighteen years and moving away.

Our comfort zones are dangerous if we are in search of growth. Stepping out of what is familiar to you will have you anxious and overthinking a lot, but just because that is your flesh’s natural response does not mean that it is coming from God. Anxiety is not a sin but it is also not an emotion God intends us to have. Jesus even had moments of intense emotional distress. Matthew describes it as “sorrowful and troubled”. When Jesus admitted His soul was overwhelmed, He prayed. He prayed then obeyed.

What if every time a feeling of anxiety crept in our minds, we immediately went into prayer? It doesn’t have to be a verbal prayer if you are in public, remember God can hear our thoughts. What if every time God wanted us to step out of what we were comfortable in, we asked Him to give us the boldness and confidence through His Spirit to do so? How much peace would we find in these moments knowing He is guiding your foot during your every step? But how often do we allow those emotions of distress and anxiousness to control us and prevent us from viewing the miracle God wants to do in our lives?

Obeying God’s commands don’t always come with ease. Genesis 32, Jacob wrestles with an angel. And at this time, he is given a new name, Israel, which means “he struggles with God”. He was preparing to enter Canaan, and obviously was struggling internally. This encounter suggests that walking out of what is comfortable is not a personal or isolated event. These situations come guided and supported by the intervention of God. He is actively involved in our every moment of transition and transformation. Challenges may arise, but He gives us the strength to overcome them.

I want to encourage you today that if you feel God is calling you to something new and it requires transition, it is not according to your own power, strength, or control. It is His. If growth is what you are seeking, all you have to do is be obedient and trust with all your heart and mind that God’s got you. He leads your steps, you just have to take them.

Just for a testimony from my recent trip, I went alone and here were a few things that I was worried about:
– driving & traffic
– making friends
– going eat alone
– shopping and not going over budget
– walking back to my car after the concert
– forgetting something in the hotel after checkout
– getting kidnapped
– missing my dog
– getting lost

Some of these are legitimate worries, and others are obvious signs of me overthinking too much. I want to list out what the Lord provided for me over the course of my 24 hour trip:
– no car accidents & traffic was manageable
– i ended up meeting a bunch of people at the concert, cafe’s, and while shopping
– i had dinner, breakfast, and coffee dates with God and experienced so much calmness
– i have money leftover from shopping, and managed to buy all the things i wanted to buy
– two sweet angels gave me a ride back to my car after the concert so i wouldn’t have to walk alone at night
– i did not forget anything, i did not get kidnapped, and I did not get lost
– i did miss my dog though

I think about the worries I filled my mind with for this trip, and then I think about the peace and joy I experienced the entire weekend. I was not going to allow my initial emotions prevent me from experiencing a deeper joy. If God directs us out of our comfort zones, He will not leave us to survive on our own. He will provide for us the entire way.

I encourage you to boldly step out in whatever the Lord commands knowing fully and confidently that He is never going to abandon or forsake you. Instill on the walls of your mind and heart the fact that God lays out all you need. He will not direct you to a place to abandon you.

Isaiah 41 tells us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” He will not leave you, friend! I hope this post gave you encouragement and boldness to follow where the Lord has called you down.

Thank you for reading!