Pushing Within Reason
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.”
Push, push, push! Everyone keeps professing the need to push oneself. If you aren’t constantly pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone, you will fail to succeed in your profession, your faith life, your marriage, your parenthood, and whatever else you can think of. Now that I am older and have a little experience under my belt, I realize that the constant push hurts those you love and care for. And isn’t that why you are pushing in the first place? Oh, wait, what about those you are trying to impress? Pushing and pushing often give people the impression that you are working so hard you must be in over your head.
Writer Melody Wilding agrees with me. She wrote an article entitled, “Please Stop Telling Me To Leave My Comfort Zone.” Wilding described pushing herself so hard that she ended up totally exhausted. Her response to the exhaustion was, “In the end, I left the job and accepted that my boundaries were there to keep me safe.” Wilding valued herself more than others. She still pushes, but she no longer pushes to the point of illness.
Our comfort zone is not something to be pushed through or ignored. No, our comfort zone is actually a gift. Our comfort zones, according to Wilding, “…act as containers to shore up confidence, gain momentum, and think clearly.” She continues, “When we spend less time grappling with discomfort, we can focus more on what matters most.” Living a life of joy and happiness is impossible when we feel constantly uncomfortable and somehow less-than.
Today, consider how you experience your comfort zone. Knowing your comfort zone helps you regain control of your life. Then you are clear about when to push and when to jump back into your comfort zone to recharge. God should be in control of your life. The Holy Spirit guides your actions and direction. If you are constantly pushing, there isn’t room for the Holy Spirit to guide. When you know your comfort zone, it is easier to let the Holy Spirit guide you forward in a healthy and meaningful way. That is a successful life!
