Opportunities For Growth

Be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

“I don’t want to go,” I groaned, burying my face in my hands. “Do I have to? There will be so many people; they won’t even notice that I’m not there.”

“Really?” my husband asked, disbelief written all over his face. After a moment, he sighed. “Okay. I’ll tell them something came up.”

Our neighbors had invited several people to their home, including the two of us. But as the time came to walk across the street, my introverted tendencies arose with a vengeance. I dreaded small talk and worried that I wouldn’t know anyone. I wanted nothing more than to stay in my house and curl up with a book.

“I’m sorry,” I said, sighing. My husband shrugged good-naturedly as he headed out the door.

That was the pattern for the first few years of our marriage: my husband had to coax me into any gathering at our home, and I was resistant to invitations to other people’s homes. But I’m grateful that over time, his gentle nudges helped me become more and more comfortable with stepping out of my comfort zone.

Now, it’s not uncommon for us to host friends or family at least once a week, and I genuinely love it. It’s not because I suddenly turned into an extrovert. It’s because my husband’s gracious encouragement gave me the courage to try. Minor successes became larger ones.

The truth is that we learn just as much—or more—from the things that don’t come to us naturally, the hardships we face, or the mistakes we make. But, as Christians, we are called to take advantage of every opportunity, not just the ones we like! When difficulties arise, gratefully choosing to see them as a chance to grow rather than something to avoid can make all the difference. And, over time, repetition helps us become more at ease with the things that once intimidated us.

Kristin

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Consider a time when stepping out of your comfort zone led to something good. How can you build on that experience and step out of your comfort zone again?