Fear is a thief and wants to rob you of what God intended for you – outside the comfort zone.

The safe zone may feel comfortable but that only lasts for a short season. Fear can keep you from seeing God’s perspective and living out of the comfort zone in the life He has truly called you to.  

I have spent a good portion of my life living in fear, motivated by fear, performing to please others out of fear and really letting fear dictate my every step.  I have had seasons of my life where fear has crippled me from being the person I knew God wanted me to be.

Sadly, I began to see my kids operate out of similar patterns and my heart was crushed because I felt like I had set an example for them to function under such fear.

May I just say that GOD is NOT a God of Fear.  He is the ultimate father, the Heavenly Father and He wants the best for you. Is there some fear you need to overcome so you can step into what He has for you? Most likely! We all do.

This may sound so cliche but the older I get the more I realize I have to step out of what is comfortable.  I have to stop being motivated by fear and let God’s word fuel the faith in my heart and my actions.

Recently (well actually for quite a while now) my husband and I have been sensing some changes coming.  For well over a year we have been feeling more and more unsettled with some job roles at the church we work at.

Over time I had taken on more and more work to help my parents (who are the Pastor’s of the church) and I wanted to be a blessing to the kingdom of God. But lately I have been more than stressed, overloaded and overworked. I’ve functioned out of fear and frustration most of the time.  God began gently tugging at my heart saying;  “this is not my best for you”.  But God, I don’t want to let my parents down! Who will take my place? What will people think? I don’t want people to think I’m lazy… on and on the broken record played in my mind.   

At the start of this year, I became more unsettled, uncomfortable and unfulfilled.  God began telling me that I needed to be ok with change.  Those of you who know me, know I am not in love with change, at least not at first.  I need time to process and I am willing but it comes with a lot of effort on my part.

My husband and I began to talk and pray about what we were both sensing. When I stopped letting fear dictate my thoughts and decisions and began to declare His truths, His Word, I began to see so much clearer.  I could not stay where I was any longer – in order to move to the next season in our lives we had to have the courage to do the uncomfortable, to step out into the unknown and to step out by faith, even when all the answers weren’t in place – this was the hardest part for me.

A week ago we both got to the place where we were both so miserable, overwhelmed, exhausted and completely defeated.  I looked at my husband Jamie after a day of meetings and said: “what exactly are we waiting for?”.

Now for me to say this and be ready to make a move, it had to be God. Usually, my husband is holding my hand pushing me along but I felt like this time I was putting my foot up His backside saying – let’s get out of the boat!  We knew what God was saying to us and it was not comfortable.

We knew it would mean our income cut by a pretty substantial amount, we’d lose our health insurance and be in unfamiliar surroundings. But what we would gain – could not even put into words. I have no idea what it will look like but I do know He has us in His hands, I know that He is our provider and no job, income stream or amount of money could top that truth.  I said to my husband we have been circling this decision for too long, it’s time to step out of the boat and make a move.

We both knew that God was waiting for us to have the courage to say yes.  Was I scared out of my mind?  ABSOLUTELY!  When we had the conversation with my parents this week, God was with us and His peace and guidance brought us through.  Was it easy? Oh no, my heart was pounding out of my chest and I thought I was going to throw up.  As soon as we had finished our conversation I felt like the weight of the world lifted off my shoulders and I gained a whole new stride in my step.

I still have the opportunity to be fearful but today I am choosing to trust in Papa God, knowing He has got this and He will be there every step of the way.  I am ok to be uncomfortable and live outside my comfort zone knowing that He won’t leave or forsake us.  

What is God asking from you today?  Are there some areas in your life that He is asking you to step out in and you are hesitating because it is not comfortable or you are fearful?  I pray today the heart of the Father will be evident to you.  The reward of obedience is far greater than living in fear, no one said it would be easy but He will be with you every step.

SCRIPTURES TO STUDY

• Hebrews 11
• Phil 4:6-7
• 2 Timothy 1:7
• Deuteronomy 31:6
• Matt 6:34
• Isaiah 64:8
• Matt 7:11
• John 14:16