The Battle of Comfort

“Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity…” Hebrews 6:1 (NIV)

I love being comfortable and this verse sounds a little bit uncomfortable to me.  What I read in this scripture is, “let’s take you out of your comfort zone and move into a place of unfamiliarity -something a little less cozy.”

I can wake up and get out of my pj’s, into my workout clothes, and then into my yoga pants.  Jeans are dressing up for me.  I love to be comfortable.  So, when it’s time for me to step out into new territory…I get nervous and uncomfortable. I don’t like to be uncomfortable but God likes it.  He likes it when I get uncomfortable because that means I took a step forward. 

An opportunity came up and I immediately got excited!  YES…this is what I have wanted for three years now!! I took a step forward and then stopped.  I started to sweat, get nervous, think of all the reasons I should not do it, and immediately turned back towards my comfy zone.  What am I thinking…I can’t do it?  My safety zone is over here…it’s good here.  I don’t need to go there.  Over there looks - uncomfortable. But, at the same time – it is what I’ve wanted to do and after three times of filling out the paperwork only to delete it – I finally decided to hit send on the fourth time. 

 

He knows my heart and He knows this situation.  Remember – it’s something that I have wanted for 3 years.  I believe that God decides when we are ready – not when we feel like we are ready. Three years ago, maybe I wasn’t ready or prepared for the battle that would come. Because the enemy will try to interrupt and scare me before I get to where I need to go. But in spite of my fear – I’m ready to step out in faith.  In those three years I have grown more in my faith and in my relationship with God.  This has better prepared me for those interruptions that will come.

After I finished with the forms…I picked up my Bible and went to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee and to sit with Him. I open up His word and He points me to Hebrews 6:1.  This is where I land - “Therefore, Michelle, let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity…” So I started to dig a little deeper…this verse had me cross reference to a few others and each one answering all of my questions and diminishing my doubts.  

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. ~Phil 3:12-14 (NIV)

  

In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! ~Hebrews 5:12 (NIV)

Verse after verse is conformation of what I need to do and more importantly, do what He wants me to do.  I know that the enemy is going to bring fear to try and stop me but I also know that God is with me and if I stay in His Word, knowing when to move forward and when to pause, then I will be ready for the attack. 

  

God is not weak and small.  He says, “I’m right here, I’m with you, I will never leave you. So be ready and be uncomfortable, take your step with boldness because I did not give you a spirit of fear but of love, power and of sound mind.” 

Faith without works is dead. – James 2:17.

“When we feed our faith we starve our doubt.”
~Christine Caine

I have had a desire to move forward and I have had fear move in, but by staying close to Him and listening for Him, I heard Him loud and clear.  It is in the obedience that we will see Him.  He is with me every step of the way.  I just need to get out of my own way and keep putting one foot in front of the other and step into my calling that God as has given me. (read Joshua 1)

So, I’m expecting resistance and I’m digging deeper in His Word and I’m going to embrace the fear. I don’t know where this will all lead – but if I stay obedient to Him – He will show me and it will all work out for His glory. 

Is fear stopping you?  Are you afraid to get uncomfortable?  It is a battle, for sure – but a battle worth fighting - especially with Him on your side.  Take your first step into what God is calling you to do. 

“Faith in God doesn’t erase fear, anxiety, and confusion – it just overcomes them.”
~Jen Hatmaker