being comfortably numb
is not your best life
“It’s funny, because we all read history and we think, ‘Oh, I would … have risen up, I would have fought, I would have been an abolitionist,' And I tell them, ‘No, you wouldn’t have. If you would have, you’d be doing that right now. You know trafficking exists, you’ve heard of it, but you don’t want to look.”
― Tim Ballard (Operation Underground Railroad)
The Sound of Freedom . What does that sound like? Does a “sound” of freedom even exist? American anti-human trafficking activist and author, Founder and CEO of Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.)Tim Ballard, can tell you without hesitation, freedom definitely has a sound, and freedom most definitely is not free.
Greg and I went to see, Sound of Freedom , this past weekend, and boy was it uncomfortable. Tim Ballard is an amazing human being, abolitionist, and most definitely NOT someone living in his comfort zone! His wife must also be comfortable being uncomfortable, and one strong lady as she was able to sustain their large family and support Tim emotionally and mentally while he was doing this kind of work.
I think about the people who toil in this line of work, fighting human trafficking, day in and day out. How in the world do they do it? Why do they do it, besides the obvious, as Tim Ballard says, “God’s children are not for sale.” People are not for sale! These people, and others like them, serving other at-risk populations, working in the trenches of the pit of hell, these are the people in our society who have not become comfortably numb.
We were not created to become comfortably numb.
Tim Ballard and those just like him know growth begins, change occurs, and miracles happen, outside of our comfort zone. We cannot ever expect to see change if we want to live comfortably and not step up when good and truth is being compromised. That doesn’t mean hiding behind a computer and posting things. This means stepping into roles that are difficult but will change lives for the better.
Truth is, we aren’t all called to be Tim Ballard’s, or work for organizations such as IJM, Love 146, or other human trafficking programs, but we are called to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. We are called to be courageous, to fight for those who have no voice. We are to fight darkness with light and not bury our heads in the sand because something is too ugly or dark for us to think about.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 ESV
Our maker did not create us to be fearful. In fact, we were created and told to be brave, knowing our strength is not from us, that those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, we have His power living in us. This same power is free to all who invite Him into your heart. We were not created to become comfortably numb.
When we don’t want to see a movie based on the reality and the dark and ugly truth about child trafficking because it makes us uncomfortable, we have become too comfortable with being numb about the evil and darkness in our world. In fact, we become part of the problem. When we don’t want to talk about the hard things because they make us uneasy, we have become comfortably numb.
The Bible is full of story after story of people living in captivity and bondage, people who had options to change things, people who could have made a difference, but they had become so numb to their circumstances it was easier to keep the status quo. They didn’t like the way things were, but they had grown comfortably numb because change was too hard.
Things happen when people are willing to be uncomfortable. If you need some evidence of this from scripture, read the stories of a few leaders who got comfortable with being uncomfortable, who God blessed with tremendous growth and power because of their willingness to step outside of their safe zone. (Moses, Esther, Noah, Deborah, Nehemiah, Hannah, Joseph-father of Jesus, Mary-mother of Jesus, and Jesus himself)
These are two of the truest quotes I know…
“If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.” ~AU
“God is more interested in developing your character than keeping you comfortable.” ~Tommy Tenney
I am a person who loves change. I need structure and routine, but I also embrace challenges and change. I am comfortable being uncomfortable, but that hasn’t always been my story. This was something I learned about myself when God pushed me out of my nest and told me I had to learn to fly.
I was staying in an unhealthy, toxic marriage because change was going to be too difficult. There are of course, many other factors involved in breaking up a family, but I had every biblical reason and then some to end mine, but it took time for me to make the final move. I had grown comfortably numb in the known, as miserable as it was.
Stepping out into the unknown with three little boys was terrifying, and daunting. Moving to another state was HUGE! God pushed me out of my comfy nest when He allowed the truth of my husband and our home to be revealed one January day, and then said, okay, now you know the truth. What are you going to do about it?
Since that day in January 2001, God has put me in many situations where I have had to choose to be uncomfortable in order to grow, which is a definite blessing of stepping into the uncomfortable. I have experienced it over and over, and scripture is full of examples of others who God used challenges and adversity to grow as well.
Some modern-day examples of those who refused to live comfortably numb are Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, Anne Frank, and so many others.
Jesus spoke of the importance of being uncomfortable. In the Beatitudes He called people, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” If we are too comfortable, we will not be hungry for the blessings Jesus has for us.
If we are comfortably numb, we will never step out in faith.
While there have been many, here are three of the greatest lessons I have learned and continue to learn from stepping out of my comfort zone.
1. Whatever He is calling you to is SO MUCH MORE than what you have in your circle of comfort. Surrender to God’s will, whatever He might be asking you to let go of. It might be idolatry of your children, your spouse, your career. It might be pride, or self-made plans. Whatever is keeping you from stepping outside your comfort zone, lay it at the foot of the cross. There’s no other way to get to what He has waiting for you.
2. God never leaves us unequipped to accomplish His will, and what He calls us to face. Trust Him. I promise you; it won’t seem like it some days, but if God brings you to it, I can personally testify that He will get you through it! What is gained by facing your fears and letting go of perceived control, far surpasses the fear and comfort that holds you back when you won’t trust and step out.
3. Being comfortable means I am not growing. I am not living up to all I am created to be. Getting uncomfortable isn’t easy. It isn’t natural and our human nature will fight to avoid it. You will never experience God’s blessings for you or make a difference in this world if you will not refuse to live comfortably numb.
Ask yourself, when was the last time you did anything for the first time? When was the last time you trusted God and let Him guide your life, especially if it made you uneasy? Stepping outside our comfort zone can be scary, and I’m not going to tell you it will be easy, but growth never comes with ease or without pain. I am telling you it will be worth it!
“You can choose courage or you can choose comfort. You cannot have both.” -Brené Brown
“Do one thing every day that scares you.” -Eleanor Roosevelt
“The hardest thing to do is leaving your comfort zone. But you have to let go of the life you’re familiar with and take the risk to live the life you dream about.” -T. Arigo
“By leaving your comfort zone behind and taking a leap of faith into something new, you find out who you are truly capable of becoming.” -Anonymous
“Life will only change when you become more committed to your dreams than you are to your comfort zone.” -Billy Cox
