As we grow older, we become less willing to try new things. We fear making mistakes. We have fallen down too many times. We have failed, and we have felt the pain of failing. We have been hurt by our mistakes. We have learned to love our comfort zones!
Jesus said, “Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:15). Receiving the kingdom of God like a little child means having a childlike faith. Receiving the kingdom of God like a little child also means being willing to move out of our comfort zones. Jesus continually challenged people to move out of their comfort zones into new areas of growth. But how do we move out of our comfort zones.
To Move Out of Your Comfort Zones, You Must Face Your Fears
When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear” (v. 26). They were crossing the lake. The wind was blowing. They looked up and saw somebody walking on the water. They were scared! Peter had to deal with his fear to get out of the boat. The boat was his comfort zone. The rough water might have made him uncomfortable, but he had been in rough water before. He had never seen anyone walk on water.
When Peter stepped out of the boat, he stepped out of his comfort zone. I wonder what his first step looked like when he put his foot onto the water. His heart must have been pounding! He had to face his fear to step onto the water. Peter did pretty well for a few steps. He was actually walking on the water! Peter was walking toward Jesus. Then he took his eyes off Jesus, and his fear started to get the best of him. He noticed the wind, and as his faith gave way to fear, Peter started to sink. When faith gives way to fear, we always start to sink. To move out of our comfort zone, we must face our fears. Fear will keep us in a circle of what is predictable and comfortable.
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