Most of us do not share our faith because we are uncomfortable, afraid to say the wrong thing, or to lose a friend. So we learn to keep quiet, avoiding awkward conversations to keep the status quo. That is called developing comfort zones. But these spaces can be deadly for personal growth.

All of us share one thing in common. None of us like to move outside our comfort zones, especially if we’ve been in our “zone” for quite some time. That’s what makes losing air conditioning so painful. When it stops working, we suddenly feel out of sorts. Our sleep patterns get disrupted affecting our ordinary rhythms of life. Fatigue sets in and our ability to concentrate weakens. We get cranky and may be prone to snapping at our friends and family. Literally speaking, we are outside our comfort zones.

Have you ever found yourself there? I have, and it’s no fun. In September, due to Hurricane Irma, many folks in Florida experienced this phenomenon because of the power outages, leaving folks disoriented from the storm and the aftermath that followed.

But there is a silver lining to what happened. We know what it is like to forced outside our comfort zones.

Staying in Comfort Zones Too Long

All of this disruption has caused me to pause and reflect on this question, “What is God trying to teach us?”

The storms of life leave us hoping for more comfortable times. The Psalmist David, a shepherd by training, likened comfortability to green pastures, “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” These were an oasis in the ordinarily arid land of life. But David did not stay there. No, he continued to write, “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.”

What does this vivid word image teach us? David never stayed in the comfort zone of green pastures but continued to move his flock.

As a parent, I know that comfort zones are dangerous places to stay. Green pastures are lovely places to graze flocks, but a good shepherd knows they will not last. They can lead to apathy and complacency.

Seasons change. Cultures shift. What was once a beautiful refuge can suddenly turn into an end itself, leading to stagnation and even death. Why? Growth can only occur when challenged.

Health experts teach that resistance training is essential to keeping the body healthy and active. We need a moderate amount of stress to keep growing and remain healthy. On the other hand, too much exercise can be just as harmful, but none at all can be fatal.

Moving Out From Our Comfort Zone

What is right for our bodies is also true for our souls. We need to exercise our faith. Who would know that better than the designer of our body, our Heavenly Father?

As I reflect on all that has transpiredthis year, I can’t help but think, our Father desires for us to grow. Growth can be painful at times but healthy for longterm vitality. One of the ways God matures Christians is by teaching them how to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. Sharing our faith usually requires most of us to move outside our comfort zones. But our Father is a master at doing just that.

Growth can only occur when challenged.