Is Your Comfort Zone Keeping You From the More God Has for You?
What is it about our comfort zones? We allow them to define and decide what we will and will not do. And if we’re not careful, our comfort zone can even dictate whether or not we’re obedient to God. I know because I’ve done it.
Back when I was in my 30s, I didn’t make eye contact with strangers in the store. I didn’t talk to people I didn’t know. And I certainly didn’t speak in front of people.
Then I signed up for a direct-sales jewelry business where my job required me to walk into strangers’ homes and stand in front of groups of women to talk about jewelry.
What was I thinking?
I remember having my first jewelry show at my own house. The woman who sponsored me did the presentation while I watched, and I immediately had buyer’s remorse. I had made a mistake. There was absolutely no way I could do what she had just done.
But I had made a pretty substantial investment, and as a mom with three little kids, I couldn’t afford to lose that money. So I prayed, “God, please just help me make my investment back.”
At my first show, I had note cards. One of my daughters sat on a little footstool beside me holding them. At some point during the presentation, I realized I had forgotten something and asked her to go get it. She stood up. My note cards fell on the floor and I had absolutely no idea what to say.
So I said something like, “Okay, let’s go shop!” and ended the presentation.
Y’all, talking in front of people was torment for me.
Today, I regularly speak in front of crowds. I host a podcast. I coach women. I’ve written a book. I go live on social media. I’ve spoken to hundreds and even thousands of people.
And now God has called me outside my comfort zone again as I launch a nonprofit.
So what happened between that terrified woman in her 30s and the woman I am today?
My comfort zone expanded.
And yours can too.
Here are a few things I want you to know…
1. The Good Stuff Happens Outside Your Comfort Zone
The memorable stuff. The moments when God moves in ways you didn’t expect. The experiences that change you.
They typically happen outside your comfort zone.
Why?
Because inside your comfort zone, you’ve got it.
You know what to do. You know how to do it. You know what to say. You can handle it in your own strength.
But then God asks you to do something and you think, I cannot do this.
That’s where you have an opportunity to experience His strength instead of your own.
I remember pulling up to a jewelry show one evening and discovering that the hostess lived in a mansion.
I was immediately intimidated.
Then her guests began arriving. Attorneys. Judges. Corporate executives. Highly educated, incredibly successful women.
And there I was with my costume jewelry.
I felt like this little girl who peddled jewelry and had absolutely no business in that room.
I went into that woman’s bathroom, got down on my knees beside the toilet, and prayed.
And somewhere in that prayer, my perspective began to change.
They knew what they knew. And I knew what I knew.
I knew how to help women put themselves together. I knew how to help them choose pieces that made them feel confident. I could help that attorney walk into a courtroom looking polished and professional. I could help that professor stand in front of her students feeling pulled together.
Suddenly, it wasn’t about whether I was impressive enough to be in the room.
It was about how I could serve the women in the room.
God taught me something that night that I’ve carried with me ever since:
Take your eyes off yourself and focus on what God is asking you to do.
When God calls you outside your comfort zone, He isn’t necessarily asking you to take a running leap miles beyond it.
Sometimes He’s simply asking you to take one step.
One small stretch that says:
“Lord, I trust You. I’m going to do what You’re asking me to do, and I’m going to give You room to work through me in Your strength.”
Don't miss those moments.
2. It’s Not About You. It’s About Him.
We make so much of this about ourselves.
I’m not qualified.
I’m afraid.
What if I fail?
What will people think about me?
I’ve never done this before.
Do you notice how much I is in all of that?
When we focus on ourselves, our limitations become huge.
But you are a daughter of the King.
He is with you. He will not leave you. You can trust Him to do what He has promised to do.
If He is calling you, it is His plan. His purpose. His strength. His responsibility to equip you. And ultimately, His glory.
That changes things.
Maybe stepping outside your comfort zone isn’t standing on a stage.
Maybe you know God is prompting you to pray out loud with a friend, but you keep thinking, I don't know what to say. I'm not eloquent enough.
Don't overcomplicate it.
Take her hand and say, “God, please be with my friend. She’s going through a hard time. Help her know You are with her.”
That's it.
It doesn’t have to be impressive.
Obedience doesn't require you to impress people. It requires you to trust God.
Do it afraid.
And then watch what happens.
The next time, you probably won't be quite as terrified because you'll remember, God met me there. I can trust Him to meet me here too.
3. Your Comfort Zone Expands Every Time You Choose Courage and Obedience
This is what I wish I could go back and tell that terrified thirty-something-year-old version of myself.
Every time you choose courage and obedience, your comfort zone gets a little bigger.
I started talking to strangers even though it was uncomfortable. Today, I talk to people I don't know all the time.
I stood in front of a handful of women with my knees knocking. Eventually, I stood in front of hundreds and even thousands.
The first podcast episode scared me.
Writing and releasing my first book scared me.
Coaching my first client scared me.
And now, in my 60s, God has asked me to launch a nonprofit born from a deeply painful time in our family's life.
It's way outside my comfort zone.
I had just gotten comfortable!
And here He is again, asking me to step out on the water and trust Him.
But here's what I know now that I didn't know all those years ago:
I have evidence.
I have years of evidence that God is faithful.
Without first standing in front of six or seven women talking about jewelry, I don't know that I could have taken the step I'm taking today.
God has stretched me a little at a time.
And He'll do the same with you.
Today's step outside your comfort zone becomes tomorrow's evidence that God can be trusted.
What Is Your Comfort Zone Costing You?
Your comfort zone isn't supposed to stay the same size your entire life.
So let me challenge you.
Where have you gotten too comfortable?
At work?
At home?
In your community?
In your relationships?
In your leadership?
Where are you avoiding something because you're afraid?
And here's the harder question:
How often is your desire to stay comfortable keeping you from being obedient to something you know God is asking you to do?
I'm not telling you to chase uncomfortable things just for the sake of being uncomfortable.
I'm telling you to notallowcomfort to become more important than obedience.
The good stuff happens outside your comfort zone when you trust God and allow Him to work in you and through you.
It's not about your limitations. It's about our limitless God and the resources He has to accomplish what He's asking you to do.
And your comfort zone is meant to stretch.
Think about a rubber band sitting on your desk. It isn't very useful until it's stretched.
Maybe God wants to stretch you too.
The question is:
Will you let Him?
I pray you will.
(Listen to the podcast episode HERE.)
ps…
Ready to Be Stretched?
If you're ready to grow into the leader God is calling you to be, I invite you to learn more about Called to Lead: Clarity, Confidence, and Christ-Centered Influence.
Inside Called to Lead, we work on your foundation, identity, growth, leadership, and the practical tools you need to keep moving forward—even when what God is asking you to do feels hard.
Because you don't have to have everything figured out before you say yes.
You just have to be willing to take the next step.
Learn more at pampegram.com/calledtolead
Note from Pam:
Hi friend,
If today's post encouraged you, I'd love to help you take your next step.
I'm Pam Pegram, a Leadership and Personal Growth Coach, and I'm passionate about helping Christian women gain clarity, build confidence, and lead with Christ-centered influence. I believe every believer is called to lead because leadership is influence. It's not about having a title or a platform—it's about faithfully influencing every life God places in your path.
If you're wondering what your next step is, I've created a free resource just for you. (well, actually a few)
Download the FREE LEAD Framework and discover four biblical shifts that will help you move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose.
👉 Get your free LEAD Framework here
If you'd like more encouragement each week, be sure to listen to the Confident Christian Influence Podcast, where we explore practical, biblical ways to grow in your faith and influence others for Christ.
I'm so thankful you're here. 😊