Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:8-9 NIV

This verse gives us a promise from God with a condition from us first. When we meditate on the word of God, it will bear fruit in our lives in the form of success. And as we draw closer to God he also promises us that he will Go with us. In Chapter 1 of Joshua, God just have Joshua the position of leader over Israel which was a huge job out of his comfort zone. This chapter is God encouraging Joshua to step out and lead and meditation on the word is key to doing this successfully.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. – 2 Timothy 1:7

When we are stepping out to do anything there could be a measure of fear that n our hearts. This verse says that that fear is not from God. But God gave us power to pray against spiritual fears, love to deal with people who are intimidating us from moving forward and a smart mind that can reason out anything that needs a logical approach to overcome.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6

When you rely on God in all you do he will make your paths straight. God can remove obstacles and even cut a path through the wilderness for you. Know that God can remove the fear that exist outside your comfort zone.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13

This verse should be in your heart as you prepare to step out of your comfort zone. One thing that I would mention though. Before you step out you have to remember to pray to make sure that you are walking in Gods will for your life. He will empower you to do all things through Christ that are in His will for you.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. – Jeremiah 29:11-13

Stepping out of your comfort zone can be very intimidating. This verse promises us a couple things. 1. That God has good plans for us and doesn’t intend to harm us. 2. That as we seek him with all our hearts, we will find him. The work is on us to seek after God first with all our hearts and find the will that he has already prepared to walk in. God knows the plans he has for us. We may not know them yet so we need to seek his heart to find them out.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” – Isaiah 30:21 NIV

This one is a life verse for me. So after we have sought the heart of God and believe that he is leading us in a particular direction, we need to take that first step of faith. In my experience, I have come to realize that it’s only after you take that first step in obedience that God will confirm that you are going in the right direction. So step out on faith based on how you believe God is directing you.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. – James 1:22

Without application there can be no transformation. The bible calls us to true freedom which is submission to Gods will. This means we need to go into the word of God intentionally. Obedience to the written word of God is prerequisite before God will direct you to step out of your comfort zone to do other things. Your heart must be submitted to him first.

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. – Matthew 16:24

Being a Christian is not easy. Especially if you are used to doing things a certain way before coming to know Christ. The entire process of conversion is a step out of your former comfort zone because when you were unsaved, you were comfortable living in sin. Now as believers you have a new life in Christ and are joint heirs with him. In stepping out of your comfort zone, it’s important to keep your eyes focused on the blessings and all the good that will come after you make that decision.

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. – Hebrews 10:36-39 NIV

It’s always challenging when you are going through unfamiliar situations. This happens when we step out of our comfort zone and stand by faith in what God said. The important thing to remember is to KEEP GOING. Don’t allow fear to cause you to go back into a place of familiarity. When you persevere, God promises that you will be rewarded by your faith.