Get ready to leave your comfort zone!
The past few years I discovered that my comfort and Christ didn’t go together. I thought that Jesus was supposed to make my life easier, but life as I knew it fell apart.
What I have come to understand is that Christ empowers us to be able to live a life of purpose and sometimes that can be challenging.
We are called to be in this world and not of it (John 17:14-15 NLT). To walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV). This means that things like egg prices and tariffs don’t have to affect us.
The only catch is that you have to leave your comfort zone and be willing to live life contrary to what others believe is possible.
In this post, we’ll talk about how to identify your comfort zone, examples of comfort zones, steps to get out of your comfort zone, and more!
This post is all about steps to leave your comfort zone.
Are you ready? Let’s geaux!
Comfort Zone Meaning
Genesis 1:26 ESV-Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
Your comfort zone is the place that’s most familiar to you. It can be a physical place, your beliefs, or your mental state.
True living, however, is contrary to your comfort zone. Every dream you’ve ever dreamt, requires you to grab bravery by the hand, and get uncomfortable for a while.
Leaving your comfort zone means to embrace your authentic self in Christ. Your authentic self isn’t the way your environment has shaped you, but it is God’s original design of you.
You are God’s offspring so everything that’s in God is inside of you. The dreams that you want to live out will require a level of faith that will make you uncomfortable.
Faith is the way God intended for us to live. He said the righteous shall live by faith so everything that looks like a limitation is only an illusion.
The family you come from, the amount of money you have, any lack of resources, or the fact that it just hasn’t been done before is not something that fazes God.
If God called you to anything or put any dream on your heart, all you have to do is believe Him every step of the way. It will happen, but you have to leave your comfort zone.
You will not be one of those people to utter the words “should’ve”, “could’ve”, or “would’ve”. You’re designed to live a life of abundance, not mediocrity.
{Need a boost in your faith? I highly recommend this book (I’m reading it now for the second time and it is awesome!)}
Did you know that Blissful-Faith has a podcast? Our episode “It’s okay to start again” is the perfect episode for you if you need to start again after self-sabotaging. Take a seat, listen, and receive encouragement from one bestie to another. Click the image below to check out the episode.
45 Real-Life Comfort Zone Examples
Disclaimer: Most of the examples you see down below will have to do with your faith in God. Everyone is at a different place in their walk and no one is perfect.
We all have comfort zones that we have to step out of.
Here are some examples of comfort zones:
- Settling for a 9-5 when God placed a business on your heart.
- Watching a movie instead of reading a book.
- Staying in a familiar place rather than a new place.
- Believing that you have to adhere to family traditions (Ex. Mama was AKA so I have to pledge AKA too).
- Scrolling social media.
- Leaving where God told you to stay.
- Not taking risks.
- Avoiding a dream due to lack of resources instead of believing God.
- Never attempting to fast.
- Worrying about what others think.
- Gossiping.
- Using relationships to avoid yourself.
- Watching adult content.
- Participating in “hand play”.
- The Independent woman/boss woman mindset.
- Red pill/blue pill mindset.
- Allowing skin color/political views/classism to stop connections.
- Overstimulating environments.
- Avoiding people and new experiences.
- Being selfish with your resources.
- Not asking or accepting help.
- Staying in an environment that doesn’t challenge or serve you.
- Spending time with God for only 10 minutes a day.
- Not praying.
- 30 second prayers.
- Not sitting in the quiet.
- Staying in bed when your alarm goes off/Pressing snooze until the last minute.
- Procrastinating.
- Crashing out on people.
- Withholding tithes.
- Lying.
- Not being vulnerable with safe people.
- Avoiding social situations.
- Drinking/Smoking every time you go out.
- Hooking up with people.
- Eating out instead of cooking at home.
- Avoiding self-reflection.
- Never challenging yourself.
- Going out every weekend.
- Not establishing boundaries with others.
- Using food/drugs to avoid facing reality.
- Maladaptive day dreaming.
- Working out only in the gym with a trainer.
- Focusing on others and how they should do better.
- Sticking to the same routine over and over.
How To Identify Your Comfort Zone
I once read that your comfort zone isn’t necessarily comfortable, but it’s stable. This makes a lot of sense because we can be stable at a job we hate and it could still be considered a comfort zone.
Maybe you want to quit self-sabotaging, but you’re comfortable with your known patterns.
I get it because the unknown can be very scary.
Here are some ways to identify your comfort zone:
1. Pray For God To Reveal It To You
James 1:5-6 NLT-If you need wisdom, ask our generous God and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.
Honestly, you don’t always know what your comfort zones are and that’s okay. You’re not designed to know everything even if it’s about yourself.
Many people aren’t familiar with their comfort zones because they aren’t always obvious. Your comfort zone can sometimes be as simple as getting a different hairstyle every week and doing your makeup every day.
It doesn’t have to be a bad thing because comfort zones are your norm.
2. Be Open To Receive
Proverbs 3:11-12 NIV-My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
Sometimes when we pray we can get an answer from God that seems way too simple or far-fetched. Let’s go back to the example of getting a different hairstyle and doing your makeup.
If God were to reveal this to you, you would probably feel like “Well, what’s wrong with doing this”?
And the answer is nothing except that it’s a comfort zone that you may need to switch up from time to time.
3. Observe Yourself In Your Current Environment
1 Peter 5:8 NIV-Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
These four questions can help you start to observe yourself:
- Are you being challenged?
- Is your character being refined?
- Are you growing in any way?
- Is your need for God evident?
God is trustworthy. The biggest reason why I know is because everything and I mean everything is trying to prove that He isn’t. Have you ever thought about it that way? How come everything is trying to keep us away from Jesus? The Everyday Trust Fall Mini Bundle was designed for us to take God’s hand everyday and trust that He has us. Click the image below to grab yours today.
Why You Struggle To Leave Your Comfort Zone
There are several reasons why we struggle to leave our comfort zones.
Here are some reasons:
1. Trying Something New Can Be Exhausting
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV-Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, submit to him and he will make your paths straight.
Honestly life can be exhausting. If you’re anything like me then you’ve been emotionally hijacked several times and you just don’t want to go through that again.
Your comfort zone may be your place of safety, but do you realize what’s inside of you?
Try again with God and believe that this time things will be different.
2. You Don’t Want To Be Uncomfortable
2 Corinthians 1:5 NIV-For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
Greatness require discomfort. You were created for something great and there is no way that you will deposit all of that potential into the grave.
Have you ever heard of anyone great who stayed comfortable?
What if the world is supposed to know your name and all it takes is for you to leave your comfort zone?
3. Laziness
Proverbs 6:6-8 ESV-Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.
The calling on your life requires no laziness. And since you’re getting ready to leave your comfort zone, you have to leave laziness behind.
Think of laziness as if it was a person and ask yourself: What areas am I giving myself to laziness?
4. The Need For Control
Acts 17:28 KJV-For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, for we are often his offspring.
It’s very interesting how we think that we’re in control, but even our bodies display how much we aren’t. When is the last time you told yourself to breathe?
The thing about life is that the unknown is woven into it. I think when we’re trying to control our lives, we’re actually showing God how must we trust Him.
We say one thing, but do another and I bet God watches our words and waits patiently to see if our actions will align.
Reflection Question: What if the unknown is a chance for you to experience how much God actually loves you?
5. Fear Of The Unknown
Isaiah 46:9-10 NIV-Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God and there is no other. I am God and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand and I will do all that I please’.
The reason why we hold onto the illusion of control is because we are scared of the unknown. Anxiety tries to plague us with millions of “what if” questions like:
- What if something goes wrong?
- What if this doesn’t work out?
- What if I don’t have enough money?
- What if my kids suffer?
- What if I lose my home?
All of these questions are based in fear so I’ll ask this again in faith.
Reflection Question: What if leaving your comfort zone is a chance for you to experience God’s love in another way?
6. Disappointment
Philippians 3:13-14 KJV-Brethren I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ.
Getting your hopes up for something new can go two ways. You can experience an immense level of satisfaction or disappointment.
Because you’ve experienced many disappointments, it makes you not want to try again (Trust me, I get it!)
But what if you experience more satisfaction than disappointment this time around?
A great strategy is to forget the things of the past and press forward because truly your best days are ahead of you.
{RELATED POST: Overcoming Discouragement: 5 Powerful Tips}
7. Worrying About Others Thoughts And Opinions
Galatians 1:10 ESV-For am I now seeking the approval of man or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
If anyone has ever said they don’t care about what others think or say then they lied! Everyone cares about what other people have to say because we are all connected.
Anything you do or say has the chance to impact another being so why do you think that you’re immune? There’s a difference between caring about what people say and allowing what they say to stop you.
If people didn’t create you, why would you allow their thoughts and words to determine your actions?
Remember only your Creator has the right to define you because you are His creation.
Let His facts about you outweigh their opinions.
God is trustworthy. The biggest reason why I know is because everything and I mean everything is trying to prove that He isn’t. Have you ever thought about it that way? How come everything is trying to keep us away from Jesus? The Everyday Trust Fall Mini Bundle was designed for us to take God’s hand everyday and trust that He has us. Click the image below to grab yours today.
7 Benefits Of Leaving Your Comfort Zone
1. It Gets You Uncomfortable
Isaiah 43:2 NLT-When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
Being uncomfortable is not comfortable! But being uncomfortable challenges you to do something about your situation.
Some may use the phrase “sick and tired” or “fed up” to describe the discomfort. Being uncomfortable promotes the desire and the action steps of change.
Think of the many modern day inventions that may have been birthed from someone being uncomfortable.
I bet Henry Ford‘s assembly line came from being uncomfortable with having only a horse and carriage for transportation.
Dr. Martin Cooper was probably fed up with home phones and payphones being the only way to talk to loved ones.
What has your discomfort been able to produce? Or maybe a better question is what will it be able to birth out of you?
2. It Helps You To Tap Into Your Potential
Genesis 2:5 NIV-Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground.
Potential is all that you could be locked inside of you. Whatever you have already done doesn’t count as your potential. It’s all the other things that are inside of you that you haven’t even tapped into yet.
Your potential is like a watermelon seed before it’s planted into the ground. The seed has the potential to produce vines with multiple watermelons with seeds that can produce more and more watermelons with seeds.
As long as you are comfortable, the innate ability to exercise your potential lies dormant. You settle for what you already know.
You know you have been saying that you want to break out of your routine because there’s more to life. Don’t just speak it, complete it.
It’s your right and responsibility to discover what’s been inside you since before you were born.
3. It Helps You To Grow
Hebrews 12:11 NLT-No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening, it’s actually painful! But afterward, there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those being trained in this way.
Discomfort is the field of growth. Do you think that you will just wake up and be a highly organized person?
It’s a fantasy to think that you’ll magically be the woman or man of your dreams without getting into the field of growth.
You literally have to place yourself in an environment that is uncomfortable to be able to grow. Nature shows us this in many ways.
Think about that watermelon seed again. Before you enjoy the delicious fruit, the seed has to be covered with dirt and be broken open. After it’s broken open then it has to endure hot temperatures until it’s able to yield fruit.
A caterpillar is another example. It wraps itself in what’s known as a cocoon and I’m sure that’s not comfortable for the caterpillar!
Both the caterpillar and the watermelon plant face uncomfortable processes that are necessary for its growth and survival of life.
Perhaps we all can learn a thing or two from nature!
4. It Can Lower Your Risk Of Depression
Colossians 2:11 NIV-In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ.
Your mental health can benefit from you getting out of your comfort zone. Sometimes if you’re in the same place all the time, you can begin to feel sad or stuck.
It’s important to know that your environment can affect your mood. Dare to switch it up from time to time.
If you work from home, try to work in a quiet place like the library or in a coffee shop. Staying in one place can make you feel confined to that area.
Get up and get moving. You mental health is worth it.
5. It Helps You To Develop Self-Confidence
Isaiah 32:17 NIV-The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.
Have you ever wanted to go somewhere, but didn’t have anyone to go with? Has anyone ever canceled on you?
How many times have you decided to proceed with the original plans alone? Going places alone can be super uncomfortable at first, but after trying it you may find that you love to go places alone.
As you do it more and more, you will develop self confidence.
{RELATED POST:15 Powerful Tips To Boost Confidence Daily}
6. It Can Give You The Opportunity To Meet New People
Proverbs 18:16 KJV-A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
How will you ever meet new people if you are constantly going to the same places doing the same thing?
As you start to face yourself, God works on peeling away layers of who you thought you were to reveal who you actually are.
With that comes discovery of purpose and opportunities to pursue your dreams.
Along the way you’ll find yourself in places and spaces where you will meet new people who will help shape you into the person you are destined to be.
But first, you will need to leave your comfort zone.
7. It Can Destroy Laziness
Colossians 3:23 NKJV-Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
In your comfort zone, you usually don’t exert a lot of energy. It can be very easy to fall into laziness while in your comfort zone.
Whether or not your comfort zone is in your mind or a physical place, you know exactly what to expect when you are there. Doesn’t it get boring?
Your body and your mind needs challenges in order for you to live as the beautiful temple you are.
You were not created to be lazy.
God is trustworthy. The biggest reason why I know is because everything and I mean everything is trying to prove that He isn’t. Have you ever thought about it that way? How come everything is trying to keep us away from Jesus? The Everyday Trust Fall Mini Bundle was designed for us to take God’s hand everyday and trust that He has us. Click the image below to grab yours today.
7 Steps To Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone
If you’re ready to leave your comfort zone, take a look at these seven steps:
1. Learn All About Your Source
Colossians 3:3 ESV-Your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
A source is the place something or someone originated in. Everything you are, need, and have is in God.
The reason why you exist is to live through God on earth. God wants you to get to know Him for yourself.
He wants a relationship with you. When you learn about God, you learn about yourself because He is your Source.
2. Get To Know Yourself Apart From Others
Mark 12:31 NIV-The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.
You’re always around people. In fact, you can’t get away from people in this life.
God made you to commune with people and to love them. The problem comes in when it’s out of order.
You are an individual who was created on purpose, with purpose, for a purpose. My question is do you know who you are apart from others?
Majority of what you know is about others because of how you were conditioned. Think about it. In school, you aren’t learning about yourself.
You’re learning ideas and philosophies from people who are no longer on earth.
It’s important that you get to know who you are as an individual because you matter.
I know sometimes it may not feel like it, but you have to start living by what you know instead of how you feel.
You are not a teacher or a parent or a healthcare worker or a wellness coach or masseuse. Those are things that you practice, not who you are!
You’re a image of God, created after His likeness. Your birth was NOT an accident no matter how you arrived here.
That depression can’t have you. Neither can hopelessness or that doubt.
There’s so much about you that you need to explore. You’re worth knowing!
Did you know that Blissful-Faith has a podcast? Our episode “It’s okay to start again” is the perfect episode for you if you need to start again after self-sabotaging. Take a seat, listen, and receive encouragement from one bestie to another. Click the image below to check out the episode.
3. Stop Waiting For Others
Ephesians 4:1 AMP-So I, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called [that is, to live a life that exhibit godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior-a life that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation].
Are you waiting for others to move on what God has called you to do? What is it that you’re afraid of?
Maybe you’re afraid to go on a trip alone, but you really want to go.
Instead of waiting on others, take the trip alone. Or maybe you are waiting to start what God told you to do because you know that you’ll need a team.
Listen, God gave it to you to start now because you and Him are the team.
You will get your team of people at the appointed time, but for now lean into what Holy Spirit is trying to teach you.
He wants to show you how to listen to Him before others come and He is giving you the opportunity to lead as well.
Leadership has nothing to do with people. It has everything to do with your gifting.
4. Let Go Of Your Pride And Stubbornness
Psalm 121:2 ESV-My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.
Pride and stubbornness will cause you to be uncomfortable even in your comfort zone. It’s like being lactose intolerant and eating ice cream and cheese.
They’re not supposed to be in your system. You were made to grow through revelation instead of education.
There’s a lot that you have to unlearn.
Submit to the process by getting rid of that pride and stubbornness with the Lord’s help.
5. Take Small Steps
Proverbs 16:9 NLT-We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
A small is not as big as large. As obvious as that statement sounds, many insist on taking big steps while disregarding the smaller ones.
The truth is that when you take smaller steps, you’re more likely to develop the consistency needed for the task at hand.
Don’t ever think that you have to change your entire life to leave your comfort zone.
6. Stay Curious About Life
Colossians 3:4 ESV-When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
What is life?
Only God can define it because He created it.
7. Develop An Expectation
See Mephibosheth’s story in 2 Samuel.
Remember the benefits of leaving your comfort zone listed above. You won’t be able to experience them for yourself until you start to practicing.
Just like in nature, there will always be seedtime and harvest. Never think that what you’re doing is for nothing. If anything matters, everything matters and God counts every little faith step.
30 Day Comfort Zone Challenge
Before I end this post, I would like to challenge you. If you’re ready to leave your comfort zone, but you need gentle nudges this challenge is perfect for you!
Below you’ll find a pdf that lists something for you to do every day. Listen, you don’t have to follow every single item on the challenge, but I do ask that you make note of what action you take.
Some of the things may be things you already do so sure to personalize the challenge and have fun.
This challenge includes things like:
- Responding “Marvelous” to the question “How Are you?”
- Going for a 30-minute walk
- Digital detox
- And so many more small steps to get you out of your comfort zone!
Get your challenge HERE.
Whew! This was a long one Besties, but it was so worth it. Every tip is divinely placed here so that you can leave your comfort zone.
This post was all about steps to leave your comfort zone.
If You Enjoyed This Post, You’ll Love These:
How To Have A Healthy Relationship With Yourself
Learning To Be Patient With Yourself
How To Practice Patience Everyday
7 Keys To Improve Low Self-Esteem
Before You Go…Let’s Recap
A quick recap of stepping out of your comfort zone:
- Learn about your Source
- Get to know yourself apart from others
- Stop waiting for others
- Let go of pride and stubbornness
- Take small steps
- Stay curious about life
- Develop an expectation
Remember God is with you every step of the way and small steps still count! This walk is about progress, never perfection. You are so loved and I appreciate you reading this post. If you made it to the end of this post, comment your biggest take away down below!
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Always remember that you’re destined to win because He got up!
-Devyn Janae
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