Seven Negatives That God Can Make Into Positives (Part VI)

Hello my friends. Today we will continue with our teaching on Seven Negatives That God Can Turn Into Positives. We have already considered the first five which are temptation, failure, discipline, trials and suffering, and walking in humility. The sixth is...

F. Being Stretched Out of Our Comfort Zone

The sixth negative thing that God can turn into a positive is being stretched out of our comfort zone. Why does this seem like such a negative thing? It’s very simple. We are comfortable where we are right now. We are comfortable with the familiar. We like doing things that we have done before because we know how to do them. There is less chance of messing them up.

When someone asks us to do something we have never done before it makes many of us a little nervous. We are not sure that we can do it. We are afraid to fail or to make a fool of ourselves in front of others. A good example of this was Moses who made every excuse he could think of not to be the instrument that God would use to deliver Israel out of Egypt. He did not want to step out of his comfort zone. He was so reluctant to do so that he finally said to the Lord, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it" (Exodus 4:13 NIV). What's recorded in the next verse is noteworthy. It says, "Then the LORD's anger burned against Moses..."

Another example is the prophet Jeremiah. When he was called by God it was a struggle for him to get out of his comfort zone as well. His response to God was "Ah, Sovereign LORD, I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." But God answered, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you."

Our comfort zone is such a wonderful place to stay. It is nonthreatening and delightfully predictable. Stepping out of that zone is just the opposite. So, what good can God bring out of calling us out of our comfort zone? First understand that very little true growth takes place in our comfort zone. Secondly, we need to grasp the truth that we will never be the person God has called us to be if we are not willing to step out of our comfort zone and trust him. Every man or woman that has been greatly used by God has discovered this truth. But don't be afraid. Remember - if God called you to it, he will empower you to do it. Allow the truth of Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) to sink into your spirit. There the apostle Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The truth is that throughout all of Christian history, no one ever did anything truly great for God without first stepping out of their comfort zone and doing something for the first time. This is what walking by faith is all about. Listen to the voice of the Lord and go forth in his name.