When you’re in a place outside of your comfort zone, whether God has brought you to nice place (like a new job) or He allowed difficult times in your life (like the passing of a loved one), don’t let fear take hold of you.
Snapchat. I’ve downloaded it before. I didn’t understand the UI (user interface), got frustrated, totally frustrated, and uninstalled the app. Last week, while reporting web and social media metrics, my boss told us that we should explore Snapchat for our work, particularly to reach the youth. “Yes, I think we should do that,” is probably what I said or said through my non-verbal reaction, but I was crying inside! Haha! I installed the app again, tinkered around, and I finally got it. Well, just maybe a full 1% of it.
I directly work with the youngest person on staff (she’s 22 as of this writing). She’s a professional Snapchatter. Right after adding her, I sent her a chat… (I am looking for it now but it’s gone!) I said something like, “I still don’t get the purpose of this.” Or was it, “What’s the purpose of this if the posts get deleted?” Now all the Snapchatters laugh.
I’m sitting at CBTL with my chai tea, intending to write a post. I couldn’t think of anything to write about so I worked instead. ? As with all the things we want to know more about, I went to the ever reliable Google. I started reading about the use of Snapchat for marketing, and I got to understand more the opportunity that awaits our snaps. I then started writing ideas one after another on how we can use Snapchat effectively to reach the people we want to reach! I tweeted (thankfully Twitter keeps my tweets), “When you’re forced to learn beyond your comfort zone, it’s a joy that God’s grace is abundant. #learningsnapchat #forthenextgeneration My heart is now crying tears of joy and thankfulness to God!
Many times I’m afraid of what I don’t understand. Ask my husband. At a movie house, I would always try to predict what’s next to appease my fear of the unknown. If he’s seen the movie before, I would guess what’s going to happen and force him to tell me if I’m right or wrong.
Snapchat and movies are not life-changing, but through these I’m reminded today that God is not hindered by my fears. He can lead me to what I can’t fully understand, to something beyond my comfort zone, so I can fully rely on Him because I have nothing to offer. And His grace is always, always poured out in abundance.
When you’re in a place outside of your comfort zone, whether God has brought you to nice place (like a new job) or He allowed difficult times in your life (like the passing of a loved one), don’t let fear take hold of you. Remember these from 2 Corinthians (MSG):
“My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.”
– God
I just let Christ take over!
And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.
Have you had a time when you were placed outside of your comfort zone? How did it go? Message me or leave a comment below. Would love to hear your story!
I am the author of the book, When God Could’ve But He Didn’t. I am the happy wife of my happy husband, Pao. As I write this, both of us are happily hoping for at least two more children. I loved the smell of my friend’s chai tea so I ended up ordering one, too!
