Out of Your Safety Zone - Final

“Lord, why do I have such a hard time stepping out of my shell and trying new things? Why do I get so anxious and afraid at even the thought of it? Today I’m going to ask You for the courage my spirit needs. You are God, and Your love eternal is with me in all deeds.”

Yesterday [I was] thinking about how difficult it can be to step out of our safety zone. The stress, anxiety and fear of trying something new, moving on to a new relationship, job, trying a new routine, can be so very stressful.

We hear, over and over again, that the first step is the hardest. From experience and being someone that is a little (or a lot) OCD, I can tell you that this is very true. I can spend days, weeks, months and even years before I can face some changes in my life.

The “trick,” so to say, in this is to have faith in God so that the first step we take in any new venture is guided by Him and on the path that He has already created for us, before time began. I like to thank God before I start a new venture, knowing that when a new direction is in His will, it will always go according to His plan for me. The road does not always seem to be easy, but it ends up always adding value to my life and often to those around me.

Numbers 10:9 says: “When you go into battle [face the unknown] in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you [which can sometimes be fear within ourselves], sound a blast on the trumpets [in other words, praise God!]. Then you will be remembered by the Lord your God and rescued from your enemies.”—Easter Ellen1

Step out in faith

And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”—Matthew 14:25–31

But there’s another interesting lesson for us here. Peter was the only disciple who had the courage to get out of the boat! Yes, he took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink as a result. Still, he was the only disciple to experience the miracle of walking on water with the Master.

If you are going to do anything substantial for God, there are going to be times when He beckons you to get out of the boat and step out in faith. That means leaving your safety zone behind. It also means taking some risks. If you’re waiting for the water to come inside the boat before you’ll walk on it, you can forget it. God will not force you to get out of the boat. But if He calls you and you don’t answer, you will never know what awesome things He had planned for you. If you feel that the Lord is asking you today to step out in faith, tell Him you want His direction and timing, and ask Him to give you the courage you need to do His will. Then prepare to step out of the boat and into God’s glory!

Prayer: Lord, when I go through trials, help me to keep my eyes off my circumstances and on You. Hold me up and guide me safely through the storms of life. Whenever You call me to step out in faith, give me Your direction, discernment, and courage. Help me to be bold but not foolhardy. Help me to never jump ahead of Your plan or lag behind. Thank You for making me an overcomer and an instrument of Your glory.—J. M. Farro2

1 todayicanwithgod.wordpress.com/tag/devotional.
2 Life on the Go Devotional for Dads (Harrison House, 2006).





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