Who am I? A wife for almost 40 years. A mom for over 36 years. A sister and a friend, of course. Each of these help describe me. But, even more, I have been a Christian since accepting Him as my Savior when I was 12 years old and, this truth defines each area of my life. I have enjoyed some mountain top experiences but have been through some very deep valleys as well. Valleys of incredible grief and even pits of depression. However, most of my days are ordinary, routine kind of days. But in every one of my days, God has been faithful. He has walked with me whatever the day. He strengthens, comforts, encourages and blesses me with life "most abundant."

A favorite life verse: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Why do I write? Though not quite as private as my dad, I am definitely my father's daughter. I find it difficult to share. And to let others in. But I do love to write. I love to put words into sentences and sentences in paragraphs that help express my thoughts. I hope my words help me share my heart. Share the life that God has given me and all that He has done for me and through me. I write with the hope of giving Him at least a bit of the glory He is due.

A verse to guide my writing: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:7

The Danger of My Comfort Zone

Posted on By jennifer

I like cozy.  I like comfortable.  I have to admit…I like my comfort zone.  Comfort zone: a place or situation where one feels safe or at ease and without stress.  Even the definition sounds nice.  At ease, without stress.  Isn’t that often our goal?  Not only to create a comfort zone but to stay close to it.  The busier our lives become and, ahem, the older we become, our comfort zone (whether loosely or clearly defined) becomes even more important.  If you are like me, a comfort zone is framed by routine and familiarity keeps in defined.

And while there is certainly nothing wrong with routine or even activities and relationships that allow us to “feel safe and at ease,” our comfort zones can easily become stagnant and can cause us to become complacent, or satisfied with the status quo.  This cannot be the goal for a Christian.  God’s word is often encouraging each of us – exhorting us – to move forward.  To consistently be making spiritual progress.

Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
I Thessalonians 4:1

If we are to abound more and more….to grow spiritually and, ultimately, to become more like our Heavenly father….we have to live intentionally.  Making purposeful choices – choosing what is best and denying ourselves whatever might be keeping us too settled in our comfort zone.  Being intentional is key to abounding more and more.

Its Five Minute Friday and, yes, the prompt is intentional.  As most often is the case, five minutes are up.  However, knowing I want my life to be abounding – to be moving forward – in the Lord, and for the Lord, begs the question of how?  What intentional choices can I make to help me do just that?  I plan to look at that question, and some answers, more in my Tuesday post.

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Comments (11)

  1. Hi FMF neighbor! I get this feeling so much. In the past couple years, I've been uncomfortably discovering ways I struggle with slothfulness, a desire to stay in my comfort zone… the difference between peacekeeping and peacemaking. Hoping to work on that in the new year. Thank you for this encouragement. 🙂

  3. This so resonated with me – for different reasons! I am an introvert and a homebody when we aren't traveling. I'm comfortable exploring on my own because I'm anonymous; interacting with people where I might need to make an impression? Terrifying.
    Pushing outside my comfort zone and taking on new things with intent is something I really am working on this year.

  4. I enjoyed your post and the word from scripture to `abound more and more` to please God. Blessings and Shalom –God`s Peace–be with you!! ♡

  5. Hello Jennifer. So true. The older we get, we do seem to get more comfortable. but then I think, with age we grown in wisdom, so then I pray, help me as your scripture says, "to walk and please God more and more."

    Thanks for your word…

    1. I agree – as we age, we can wisdom. And we are accountable to use that wisdom…and to keep pushing ourselves – so we are abounding!:)

  6. It's easy for me to get stuck in a rut and not want to move forward with intentionality and purpose. At my age, I definitely have to be even more intentional. Thank you for sharing.

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