Posted on Friday, July 21, 2006 | By Kaye | In
We always hear people talk about their 'comfort zone', which suggests limitations/ boundaries/perimeters, their very own 'space' I think is the proper word. We all have one or use to have one, because to say otherwise would be hypocrital. Its our bubble, its a place where we know who we are, or more aptly- we 'thought' we knew who we are ( until you decide to explore beyond it...) or what were capable of.
Inside your comfort zone, everything is - well, in order or everything is where it should be. Your action, your reaction- in other words YOU are holding the reins. But truth is we can only control our lives to a certain degree. So I will be brave enough to suggest that our comfort zone is only an illusion... because that is our own making, our own design and our own concept. And because there IS a genuine source of comfort, the eternal kind of comfort and rest. We think we can hold everything on our own but sadly - we cannot. Now thats something to think about...
Do you want to know the downside of it though? one cannot grow inside a bubble. You have a limited perspective about life, about human interaction, you become stagnant. And it eventually gets boring, why? because...there is no challenge, there is no battle, there are no cuts and bruises to sharpen the senses, there is not enough suffering to purge ones' character.
I believe the best thing that you can get out of life is " character ". And I believe you only get it OUTSIDE your comfort zone. Outside is where the battle begins.
Outside is where you really get to know yourself, what kind of decisions you are going to make, which path you are heading for, which side between good and evil you tend to lean on and will lean on, who you really are, to learn to let go and do what is right. Because ' stepping out' of it is not the whole point, its when you decide youre finally ready to go beyond your own comfort and boundaries, allowing God access to your life ( because I believe His way is the only true way...) to learn to embrace it AND learn from it.
It might not be an overnight thing to some people, because it asks for sacrifice. Change requires sacrifice. Most of us needs a long process because as we grew older, weve put on layers and layers of barriers, sometimes thorny ones too. It isnt simple. The Lord knows what He's in for when He stretches His hand out to us. But wont it be worth it? for our very own sakes?
To be able to finally bend yourself to reach down or up to others genuinely, to be able to discern the right from the wrong, to have the strenght to say NO, to acknowledge truth when it comes and to be forgiving to others and to yourself knowing that we are all imperfect. And thats when true self respect begins- when you have made the decision to step out, to be brave enough to meet life head on, to be able to embrace sorrow and suffering, who are Gods greatest teachers.
Then we can look at ourselves in the mirror and see a mature man shining with character. Then you have come full circle to who you are.
Why wait then? Isnt it time to finally break out of it?
" Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning...or putting onof apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God a great price."
1 PETER 3: 3-4
Inside your comfort zone, everything is - well, in order or everything is where it should be. Your action, your reaction- in other words YOU are holding the reins. But truth is we can only control our lives to a certain degree. So I will be brave enough to suggest that our comfort zone is only an illusion... because that is our own making, our own design and our own concept. And because there IS a genuine source of comfort, the eternal kind of comfort and rest. We think we can hold everything on our own but sadly - we cannot. Now thats something to think about...
Do you want to know the downside of it though? one cannot grow inside a bubble. You have a limited perspective about life, about human interaction, you become stagnant. And it eventually gets boring, why? because...there is no challenge, there is no battle, there are no cuts and bruises to sharpen the senses, there is not enough suffering to purge ones' character.
I believe the best thing that you can get out of life is " character ". And I believe you only get it OUTSIDE your comfort zone. Outside is where the battle begins.
Outside is where you really get to know yourself, what kind of decisions you are going to make, which path you are heading for, which side between good and evil you tend to lean on and will lean on, who you really are, to learn to let go and do what is right. Because ' stepping out' of it is not the whole point, its when you decide youre finally ready to go beyond your own comfort and boundaries, allowing God access to your life ( because I believe His way is the only true way...) to learn to embrace it AND learn from it.
It might not be an overnight thing to some people, because it asks for sacrifice. Change requires sacrifice. Most of us needs a long process because as we grew older, weve put on layers and layers of barriers, sometimes thorny ones too. It isnt simple. The Lord knows what He's in for when He stretches His hand out to us. But wont it be worth it? for our very own sakes?
To be able to finally bend yourself to reach down or up to others genuinely, to be able to discern the right from the wrong, to have the strenght to say NO, to acknowledge truth when it comes and to be forgiving to others and to yourself knowing that we are all imperfect. And thats when true self respect begins- when you have made the decision to step out, to be brave enough to meet life head on, to be able to embrace sorrow and suffering, who are Gods greatest teachers.
Then we can look at ourselves in the mirror and see a mature man shining with character. Then you have come full circle to who you are.
Why wait then? Isnt it time to finally break out of it?
" Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning...or putting onof apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God a great price."
1 PETER 3: 3-4
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