Beyond Your Comfort Zone

I have traveled to Guatemala twice for mission trips with the God’s Child Project. We built “houses” for multiple families on these trips. By houses, we’re talking 4 walls and a cement floor; something we would consider more like a garden shed here in the States. There is something so eye-opening about providing service in a third-world country. The stark differences between how we live our lives here in America, and how the people of Guatemala live their lives. I was 20 the first time I went and I remember one of the gentlemen from the Project helping us to process our emotions. Someone in my group had talked about feeling guilty for how “comfortably” she lived her life when the people we were building houses for were just grateful for 4 walls and a Quikcrete floor. That gentleman reminded us that our version of comfortable and their version of comfortable was different, but that didn’t mean our families had any more or fewer struggles than their families. Despite the economic differences, the mothers in the families we built for still wanted the best for their babies, they still survived the toddler tantrums, and they still braved the hormonal teenage years. They were women, mothers, daughters, sisters, and aunties, the same as we were. And while we provided them a new roof over their heads and the added security of a locked door, these women provided us with so much more.

In serving them, we were pushed out of our comfort zone. We were forced to appreciate what we had and how little we need. We were forced to dig deep into our own belief systems, our ideas of safety, our vanity, our blessings, and maybe even our egocentricity. We grew in ways that are indescribable, all because we were a little uncomfortable. Cold showers, different food, a different language, and a level of unfamiliarity in all things brought us to a place that required growth. I thought that the second time I went, the experience would be less profound. I had thought wrong. It was still uncomfortable, eye-opening, and thought-provoking.

I share this with you because it is a perfect example of how important it is to get out of your comfort zone once in a while. When you start to feel stuck, bored, or like you’re in a rut… it is time. Time to do something that scares you a little, challenges you a lot, and requires you to expand beyond what you know. It is not easy; in fact, it shouldn’t be. But growth was never meant to be easy, they don’t call them growing pains for nothing.

We are so good at encouraging our kids to get out and try new things, even if they’re nervous, even if they’re scared, and even if they may not like it after all… we still push them out of their comfort zone. Not to be mean, not to pose a challenge, but because we love them enough we want to watch them continue to grow and become the people they are meant to be. You’re no different! It is time to give yourself a little tough love. Do the thing that is scary, makes you nervous, and outside of your comfort zone. I know you won’t regret it.

When you’re ready for a bit of guidance on how to challenge yourself next, get on my calendar! Together, we’ll release whatever is holding you back, and you’ll grow more and more into the woman you were born to be. You’ll become Purely You.