Victory in Health: Pushing Beyond Your Comfort Zone

My husband, William, and I went snow skiing last week for our anniversary. Although I can water ski, I can’t snow ski.  Snow skiing is completely opposite of water skiing and my natural inclinations.  To turn right in snow skiing you shift your weight to your left foot and to turn left you shift your weight to your right foot.  Despite numerous instructions from William and a ski instructor, I still did what came naturally – lean right to move right – and every time I went left.  I didn’t know what else to do to keep from going off the edge of the slopes, except fall.  By the end of the day, my body was bruised and aching from all of the falling and getting up; but I was eventually able to ski down “Easy Street” several times without falling.  Wee, I had victory!

Proverbs 24 - ¹⁶ For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, but the wicked stumble in time of calamity. (NASB)

You might be wondering why anyone would put their bodies through all of that pain.  First of all, when you learn anything new – whether it’s a new sport or a new language, it’s not going to be easy.  However, to achieve victory (produce fruit) you will have to endure the discomfort of the sowing and growing season.  Secondly, every article I’ve read says that if you continue the same workout routine, you will eventually reach a plateau – the point at which you are no longer achieving positive results.  In other words, your comfort zone is not where you should remain if you want results.  When we go beyond our comfort zone, it’s going to feel unnatural, uncomfortable and sometimes painful, but eventually we will achieve the results we desire.

My friend, Jen McDonough, definitely knows something about pushing beyond her comfort zone.  Jen admits that she is not a natural athlete, but despite her lack of natural athletic abilities she wanted to do an Ironman Triathlon (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run)!  The training was grueling, but the Ironman was more grueling than anything she had experienced during her training.  However, instead of focusing on the pain, Jen stayed focused on the victory and she is now an Ironman!  Read her personal story of victory in her book, “Living Beyond Awesome”*. 

Is there something you want to achieve, such as losing weight, starting a new career, or learning a new skill?  Is temporary discomfort keeping you from pursuing long-term victory?  If you would like to learn more about pushing beyond your comfort zone, contact me for a free consultation and check out the Coaching Special for details on $14 coaching sessions thru February 14.

Click here to share your story of pushing beyond your comfort zone.

Have a Victorious Day!

Marianne

Marianne Clements is a Christian Life Coach, Writer and Speaker.

Marianne teaches you to apply God’s Word so you can have

victory in your relationships, health and finances.

Other Health posts you may have missed:

• Victory in Health:  Overcoming Addiction
• Victory in Health:  Are Your Words Making You Sick?
• Victory in Health:  3 S's of Stress Relief
• Victory in Health:  Improve Your Health with Good Foods

*This is an affiliate link.  If you purchase this product I will receive a small commission.  Thank you!