Comfort Zone: Overcoming The Enemy Of Your Progress
Chika Ebuzor
Author | Certified Digital Marketing Associate | Digital Media Content Strategist
Hello Dear Believer,
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A comfort zone?is a state of mind that makes someone enjoy and become accustomed to the familiarity, safety, security and ease of a particular level.
It is dangerous for you to stay in this zone because it promotes a certain kind of mindset which most times leads to stagnancy.
Any familiar routine or habit that hinders you from reaching for more because it involves little or no risk and you experience little or no stress, is a comfort zone.
This is a risky psychological state because it deactivates your zeal, and your ability to dream of a better possibility.
Often when this subject is discussed, most people tend to zero in on non-achievers because they think failure alone leads to this mental state.
Success, financial increase, past achievements, positive reviews and accolades can also make you to be dangerously comfortable.
Some team leaders who have attained a level of success fall into this category. They intentionally frustrate anyone who comes in with new ideas, or even insight from feedback data.
The Bible in Amos 6:1 has something to say to people in this state. It says: Woe to them?that are?at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria,?which are?named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!
For context, the people that the scripture was referring to were dwelling in a well-planned out area - The City Of David, the seat of power in those days, they were "cool" with the social status and then began to trust in the temporary things around them, hence the declaration.
When you settle in a comfort zone, there is nothing God himself can do to help you. Sometimes because of his mercy, he waits for you to get your acts right or uses difficult people and situations to ginger you up.
When Esau missed The Blessing, see what his father - Isaac told him in Genesis 27:40 (NIV). The verse says: You will live by the sword and you will serve your brother. But when you grow restless, you will throw his yoke from off your neck.
But when you grow restless... In other words, as long as Esau was comfortable with where he was and what he had, he would not be able to enter God's destiny for him.
The Bible in 2 Kings 4:1-7 shows us a widow who was asked by Prophet Elisha to borrow jars and pour the oil she had in her house into them (brief narration).
Take note of verses 6&7: Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is?not another vessel.” So the oil ceased.?
The oil stopped flowing because they got to a familiar level that had low stress and risk, and then plateaued. If the boy had run out to get some more jars, the oil would still have been flowing.
In other words, the extent of what God can and will do in your life is dependent on your hunger and readiness to pursue his vision for you. Someone rightly said that the evidence of true desire is pursuit.
How Then Can You Overcome This State Of Mind?
1. You Must Be Restless
You have to learn not to rest on your successes or allow your failures hold you down. Apostle Paul, in Philippians 3:13-14, said: Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Most of the great brands or products today were born as a result of someone's resolve to continuously raise the bar and push the envelope.
Remember the story of Esau in Genesis 27:40? Isaac said to him "...But when you grow restless, you will throw his yoke from off your neck."
Esau had missed the blessing that was the right of first borns in his lineage and was about to be sentenced to a lifetime of serving his younger brother but his father gave him a cheat code - Restlessness.
The universe will reward anyone who remains consistently restless in the pursuit of his or her God-given dream or goal.
Restlessness also entails telling yourself the truth that where you are is no longer comfortable.
Someone once said that the problem is that some people do not know that they have a problem.
2. Acquaint Yourself With The Possibilities Available
Most times people remain in their comfort zone because they are not aware of the possibilities available to them.
The Bible, talking about Blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10:47, said: And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.
He was alive and aware of his environment and so knew when the vessel that carried his possibility landed.
Many people have missed several opportunities to grow and move away from their comfort zone because of their lack of perception.
A dear mentor once said that God's blessings sometimes come in tiny and unattractive packages.
3. Be Courageous
Courage is not the absence of fear. It is acting in the face of daunting circumstances and discouraging statistics.
You have to decide to stand up and go for the opportunity or unravel the possibility available to you, despite the odds stacked up against you.
Nothing great has ever come on a platter of gold. You must push and pursue vigorously, even in the face of criticism, sometimes from influential people in your life, who you think should understand.
In Blind Bartimaeus' case, the bible reveals that many people tried to shut him down but he refused.
And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me - Mark 10:48.
4. Self-Improvement
Find out the relevant skills, or attitude adjustments you need to make to fit into, or unravel the possibilities you have discovered.
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In today's changing and fast-paced world, you will need to constantly improve yourself because you cannot solve today's problems with yesterday's obsolete method.
Blind Bartimaeus wanted something new, and it could only be possible with his sight restored.
So when Jesus asked him what he wanted in Mark 10:51, he said: Lord, that I might receive my sight.
Read books, listen to podcasts, follow people who have broken barriers on social media, and join groups of like-minded people who will encourage you to be a better version of yourself.
5. Be Ready To Unlearn & Relearn
Sometimes the process of unlearning and relearning can be frustrating and discouraging. You have to see it as part of the journey.
Do not allow pride, shame or a rigid mindset rob you of the blessing that comes from knowledge.
In Mark 10:50, you will see Blind Bartimaeus do the same. It says: And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.
In other words, he had to let go of the limiting thoughts and attitudes, his sad and pleasant experiences, accolades, and all he knew. He cast them away for a better possibility.
6. Celebrate Your Progress
Encourage yourself when you make progress on your journey outside your comfort zone, no matter how little.
The Bible in 1 Samuel 30:6 records that despite the threat of being stoned by his followers, David encouraged himself in the?Lord?his God.
Do not be hard on yourself when you fall or miss the mark. Failure is part of the ingredients in the greatness mix.
7. Know Where You Are Going Or What You Want
If you do not have an idea of what you are aiming for or where you are going, you might miss your goal or even abandon your pursuit when you face hardship.
Your goal, or the vision of your desired future should constantly be in your mind so as to encourage you to stay on track when you encounter difficulty along the way.
The woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5, knew what she wanted and so when the opportunity presented itself, she grabbed it.
Mark 5:28-29 says:?For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
As a believer, the best place to get a clear picture of where you should be headed is the bible. It contains God's word for you and for every situation.
8. Pray
Proverbs 3:6 says: In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. When you pray and commit your ways and plans to God, you are letting him know that you cannot achieve anything without him.
The truth is that as a believer, it is pride not to commit your ways to God in the place of prayer.
According to James 4:6, God gives more grace to the humble and then goes all out to resist the proud person.
When you submit your plans to God in prayer, you are acknowledging his Lordship over your life and it pleases him.
9. Follow The Right People
As you embark on this journey, you will need to sacrifice some relationships that might hinder you, or won't serve any purpose where you are going.
The Bible records in Mark 10:52 that immediately Blind Bartimaeus received his sight, he rose and followed Jesus.
He understood the fact that evil associations, relationships and interactions will certainly corrupt good manners - 1 Corinthians 15:33.
The kind of people you should allow to hang around you must be people who are also restless in the pursuit of their God-given vision.
They should be people who will motivate you to grow beyond your level of comfort.
If God did not strategically hinder the guys who came together to build the tower in Genesis 11, the angels would have woken up one morning to see strangers feasting at the dining table.
10. Believe In Yourself
Your mindset about yourself must be positive, as well as align with what God says about you. You will not be able to achieve anything if you do not think you can.
The degree of progress you will make in life is very much dependent on how you see and treat yourself.
Romans 12:2 says: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind...
The dominant thoughts in your mind will be expressed through your words, and your words will deliver to you, whatever you order.
That is why the bible admonishes that you diligently guard your heart because out of it will flow ideas that can seriously affect the outcome of your life.
I pray that the Spirit of God points you in the direction you ought to go, in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen!
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Thank you for your time.