I Am Not Leaving My Comfort Zone!

Have you ever found yourself living in a ‘comfort zone?’ You don’t want to step out of it for fear of the unknown – you sit in the same spot, go to the same restaurants, keep the same job, talk with the same people, and follow the same routine. These habits bring a false security in a chaotic, sinful world; producing feelings of safety and contentment.

* What happens when your restaurant closes?

* What happens when your job ceases?

* What happens when friends and family fade away?

* What happens when there’s financial loss?

* What happens when there’s betrayal?

* What happens when jobs are grueling or nonexistent?

* What happens when you lose a house?

* What happens when there’s illness?

* What happens when there’s death?

* What happens when your spouse is living/working miles away?

* What happens when there’s loneliness?

BOOM! Your shelter crumbles. You’re robbed of happiness. You’re not sure where to turn. You crawl deeper into a shell creating a smaller ‘comfort zone.’

Is it healthy to live in such a comfort zone? I think not, and you most likely agree! Have you heard the advice, “Life begins living once you step out of your comfort zone.”? Living with securities generated from this kind of sheltered life could stifle creativity, growth, and courage. Not my securities! My life began when I discovered a comfort zone and refused to leave.  Now, I am empowered and experience joy in the storms!!!!

As a believer, my Father is always present, and He knows the best path for me (and for you!) I can walk under His umbrella, or choose to walk away – listening to my own logic or others. My God, my Savior, my Spirit – He is my comfort zone. Each time I experienced a “What happens…” from above, God has provided exactly what I needed. He is my shelter, joy, friend, courage, provider, strength, healer, comforter, and hope. Living in (and trusting) my comfort zone of being a child of God empowers me to withstand and overcome each storm, to try something new, and to embrace change.

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 (NIV)

This is where I remain. Do I ever leave my comfort zone? Foolishly, yes. Although, with each weathered storm, growth, and miracle; I run more rapidly and readily to God. Try it. As you repeatedly choose Christ as your comfort zone, you will recognize when you’ve stepped out, and will eagerly run back into His arms.

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;

    I have no good apart from you.”

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;

    in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy;
    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

                      Psalm 16: 1,2,7,8,11 (ESV)

                                                                   ~Jenny~

It's Friday...

A couple of things hit me today. A friend told me I'd like a site, "Broken People". Yes, we are broken people. God loves us anyway. He LOVES each one of us ~ He places the broken pieces together in our lives. GRACE. Another friend posted a video about Good Friday. Today is Friday, but Sunday is a comin'. AMEN! Once again, GRACE.

Friday... Jesus' death. Gloom. Failure. Depression. Hope has died. Broken... How many of our lives feel like that? All different elements play into these feelings. Jobs. Careers (or lack of.) Marriages (or lack of.) Children (or lack of.) Weight. Moves. Loneliness. Deaths. Finances. Living up to other's expectations (or our own.) The past. Physical ailments. We all have our own 'Fridays'. None of which compare to Christ's, yet they are painful to us.

I am tired of Friday. Sometimes left alone, we let these circumstances overwhelm or control us. Why? Habit? We like it? Fear? No! We are ALL special and created by God. God doesn't make mistakes. Man does; that is why we forgive one another (and ourselves.) We don't have to live in our 'Friday' mindset. It's time to move on to Sunday!

Sunday... Christ AROSE!!! He conquered death, not through His death, but through His resurrection. We are His children, and should live & serve with His hope! GRACE. Sunday is our peace. Christ is our peace in the midst of any storm we face, whether mild or a hurricane. Get out of our comfort zone. Face our lives, and any storms that may be in it or come our way, with Christ. He will give the peace which our hearts and minds so desire. The Holy Spirit will guide us through each step of the way ~ with hope.

It's time (for me at least) to not live like it's Friday, but Sunday. I am broken, but not defeated. My weaknesses and 'falls' can be used to glorify God and for His good.

 I Peter 1:3-6  ~  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials