When my German Shepherd, Java, was an eight-pound puppy, we trained her in a medium-sized crate that felt wonderfully spacious at the time. But when she grew to eighty pounds, her large body barely fit inside it. She couldn’t stand up or stretch out — yet she still curled herself in there to nap or escape my grandchildren. Her body had outgrown the crate, but it still gave her the same sense of security she’d known as an eight-week-old pup. It was her comfort zone.
It took a good bit of encouragement — and some very persuasive treats — to convince her that the new, larger kennel with a soft dog bed was a much better fit.
What is a comfort zone?
A variety of online sources define the comfort zone as a “familiar psychological state in which people are at ease and in control of their environment.” Another says, “a place in which a person experiences low levels of anxiety and stress.” And one last definition reads, “a behavioral state in which a person operates in an anxiety-neutral position.”
The four elements of the comfort zone
Using the random, online definitions, we can create the four elements of the comfort zone.
- No surprises – everything is familiar; nothing new or different; no new people or situations
- No awkwardness – completely at ease and without worry; relaxed
- No authority – totally in control of everything in this space
- No responsibility – low levels of expectation and stress
I contend that this level of nirvana does not exist outside of the womb; however, we continually seek it – or at least something that can replicate that feeling… but that is not where we are called to serve.
No Surprises
I do not like surprises. No surprise parties. No surprise visits. No surprises, period. I like to be well-prepared for whatever is coming my way. I need time to wrap my mind around an experience, to convince myself that I can handle it before I step into it. The unknown can feel threatening and deeply uncomfortable — even when it’s supposed to be something good!
In the comfort zone, everything is known, expected, and neatly predictable… and my heart breathes a little easier there.
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. Hebrews 11:8
We naturally gravitate toward what is familiar — familiar routines, familiar people, familiar places. But faith has always required stepping into the unknown. God rarely reveals the entire map at once; instead, He asks us to take the next step in trust. Like Abraham, we may not know where obedience will lead, but we know Who is leading. When we refuse to move beyond the familiar, we limit the opportunities God has to grow our faith, stretch our dependence on Him, and display His faithfulness in new ways. The unknown is not something to fear when God is the One calling us forward.
No Awkwardness
I am socially awkward. I know — I teach, speak, write, and plan events with ease, but put me in a room full of strangers where casual conversation is required, and I immediately feel out of my depth. If someone approaches with arms wide open for a hug, every instinct in me wants to sidestep the encounter. Why are you touching me?
Some people thrive in crowds and think I’m the strange one for feeling perfectly at home behind a podium. But that’s my happy place — my comfort zone. Give me a microphone and a message, and I’m at ease. Give me small talk and surprise hugs… and I’m praying for an exit strategy.
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9
We often equate comfort with competency — if we feel at ease, we believe we are in the right place. But God frequently works most powerfully when we feel weak, uncertain, or out of our depth. Awkward moments remind us that we are not self-sufficient; they create space for God’s grace to shine. When we step into conversations, ministries, or opportunities that stretch us socially, emotionally, or spiritually, we discover that God supplies what we lack. Our discomfort becomes the very platform on which His strength is displayed.
No Authority
This isn’t about resisting authority figures — law enforcement, church leadership, or workplace management. It’s about who governs the choices of our lives, our days, and even our moments. If I’m honest, I like to do what I want, when I want to do it. It feels natural.
As a teacher, I used to tell my students that my classroom was not a democracy — I was the supreme commander. Order was essential. I needed to know what was happening in every corner of that room at all times.
And I feel much the same at home. Every item has a place where it belongs… and if it doesn’t have a place, it might just need to move out! Those of us who love control do not love chaos. Disorder is unsettling. We crave order — preferably the order we designed ourselves.
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 your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Comfort zones are built around control. We feel secure when we call the shots, set the pace, and understand the outcomes. But following Christ means surrendering our desire to manage every detail. Trusting God requires releasing our grip on control and allowing Him to direct our steps — even when His ways differ from our preferences. When we step out of control and into trust, we learn that God’s plans are not only wiser than ours, but kinder too. True peace is not found in controlling our environment, but in surrendering it to the Lord who already holds it.
No Responsibility
Since leaving the teaching field — where I was in a building before 7 a.m. and often long after dark — I’ve realized I have no desire for any job that keeps me “stuck” inside for extended hours. I want the freedom to work when and where I choose. I like planning my days around my own decisions. And yes… once again, it all comes back to control.
We want to be in charge of our schedules. For some, that can even mean rarely leaving the house. When I was younger, I used to wonder why so many retired folks worked part-time at grocery stores or fast-food restaurants. Now I understand — most just want a little activity, a bit of conversation, and a reason to get out of the house for a few hours.
It’s not that we want zero responsibility. We simply prefer to be responsible for things we choose. That keeps stress low… and expectations even lower.
Well done, good and faithful servant… You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Matthew 25:21
Comfort often means avoiding responsibility — fewer expectations, fewer risks, fewer opportunities to fail. But Christ calls His followers to meaningful service, to carry purpose, and to invest their lives in what matters eternally. With responsibility comes dependence on God, growth in character, and the joy of knowing we are participating in His work. God never calls us to tasks He will not equip us to fulfill. When we accept the responsibilities He places before us, we discover that His yoke truly is easy and His burden light — because He carries it with us.
Trading the Comfort Zone for Unknown Paths
Eventually, Java accepted that her new kennel was exactly what she needed, even though she still prefers our bed! She was a bit stubborn — but she trusted us. And really, why shouldn’t she? We had cared for her since she was just a few weeks old. She had no reason to believe we would ever harm her.
God has promised never to leave us or give up on us. So why shouldn’t we trust Him enough to follow where He leads — even when it means stepping out of our comfort zone?
Be ready for surprises. Accept a bit of awkwardness. Lose some control. Take on a new responsibility.
Step on out – it will be ok!
I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground… I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16
Stepping out of our comfort zone is not about striving harder — it is about trusting deeper. God meets us not only in still waters, but also on unfamiliar roads. And every step taken in faith becomes a testimony to His faithfulness.
