God vs. My Comfort Zone (Faithfulness)

I don't know about you but I like my comfort zone. Nothing much is expected of me and I don't feel anxious and fearful. It's kind of boring but it's safe. Well, maybe not totally safe—I don't do much growing there. It's hard to be obedient and faithful to God from my comfort zone. I know He doesn't like me there, afraid to take a risk for Him, needing to stay safe. But it's so comfy.

I'm facing a God challenge right now. He's nudging me toward something I'm not comfortable with and I'm digging in my heels. He and I have gone down similar roads before so I don't know why I put up a fight. I know I can trust Him. He's always been faithful. I need to remember . . .

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Several years ago God called me to a season of life that was so far out of my comfort zone I couldn't see it anymore. 

"You can't be serious, I can't do that," I told Him.

Let me mention, this isn't a smart thing to say to God. I gave Him really good excuses why He must be mistaken but He had me right where He wanted me.

At the time I was studying the book of Deuteronomy with a group of friends. From the following verses (and many more), you can see why my arguments didn't get very far: 

God said to Moses, "You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north..." (2:3). "For the LORD your God has blessed you in all that you have done; He has known your wanderings through this great wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you; you have not lacked a thing" (2:7). "So you shall observe to do just as the LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right or to the left" (5:32). "For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach" (30:11). Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you" (31:6) NASB.

God looked right into my chicken heart and provided everything I needed to perform the job at hand. The experience was a faith-walk for me all the way but I learned to trust God at a deeper level. I remained faithful because God did not fail me or forsake me.

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Why do I so easily forget God's faithfulness? Why am I so fearful of anything outside my comfort zone? I don't have a good answer but, fortunately, God knows my heart and while He gives me a choice, He also gives me a shove.

Thank You Lord, for being strong and faithful when I am weak and fearful. I will follow You into new territory and stay the course You have set out for me.


Partially quoted from Fruit Flies in Our Faith: Nurturing and Sharing the Fruit of the Spirit (with permission).


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