Comfort Zone - Written by Wanda Rodriguez - Written on May 27, 2025 - Published on May 28, 2025

Comfort Zone

Written by Wanda Rodriguez

Written on May 27, 2025

Published on May 28, 2025

I initially started this blog because I felt prompted by God, and circumstances at the time, to share my thoughts through the written word.  I tried to resist (for 10,000 reasons) but I could not shake that feeling that it was something I was supposed to do.  After great delay and much resistance, I relented, locked in and made it happen earlier this year.  I was terrified, mostly of ridicule and rejection.  I wasn’t sure who it was meant for but I felt truly compelled to write.  Here I am, three months in, and I still don’t know exactly why I am writing or if anyone (other than the few who regularly reach out about it) is actually reading it.  Still, I believe that whoever the writings are meant for will see them eventually (in God’s perfect timing, Ecclesiastes 3:1-10: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven...") even if I never know.  Sort of like when you do something kind for another, you may never know the impact of your actions but, for God, it’s just another piece of the puzzle.  He is forever creating masterpieces, and we are just a small, but significant, part of those greater works.  We don’t need to understand everything to follow God’s calling, even something as simple as treating others with kindness (Ephesians 4:32: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you).

Here’s the snag for me, I am human.  (What?!?!  Facts!  I am not a robot.  Shout out to my brother, Bill.)  I get that I don’t need to know or understand everything but, at the same time, the human factor in me craves positive reinforcement.  Confirmation that I am on the right track.  A little, “Attaboy!” here and there. This is a known shortcoming of mine (I am a people pleaser from way back), the desire for external validation, and it is something I am actively working on.  Who knows, (God, that’s who!) maybe this writing process isn’t just an opportunity to reach and encourage others, but also an exercise for me in finding validation from within and through God, rather than through external sources. (Epiphany moment!!!)  So, I keep writing.  God puts ideas on my heart all of the time.  Sometimes I sit down to write, and things just flow freely while other times I sit down to write and my fingers just hover over the keys like that old, “I’m not touching you!!” game of annoyance we used to torture our siblings with.  (Ahhh!  Good times!  Hah.)  Eventually words come out, but I still wonder, as I wrestle with self-doubt, if this is really something that I am supposed to be doing or is it just a random act of vanity.  Those old fears and hesitations about starting a blog in the first-place creep ever so quietly back to the surface of my mind.  

Trying new things can be hard.  Intimidating.  Daunting.  Scary.  Overwhelming.  … I get that 100%!  I put off starting this blog and ignoring my calling to write for a very long time.  But that internal encouragement (God!) to write has never dimmed, though I cannot say the same for my confidence.  The negative self-talk has a way of getting louder once you open the door, even just a crack.  You know the voice that says things like: Who do you think you are; This is no good; No one is reading this; No one cares what you have to say; Stop wasting your time; Stop wasting their time; You aren’t a writer, you aren’t anything …  The whole thing can spiral quickly out of control from there, if you let it.  So, don’t let it!  (Oh! Gee! Thanks Wanda. That’s brilliant!  Why didn’t I think of that!?!)  I know, it’s not that easy and that it can feel like a constant battle.  That’s because there is a constant battle.  The enemy is always working to deceive you and would like nothing more than to undermine your confidence and distract you from God's calling on your life.  He will do so by whatever means necessary.  Negative self-talk and doubt have historically been a means for the enemy to gain easy access into my mind so, why not stick with what works!  Don’t allow him the opportunity to get that stronghold over you.  Look for attempts to penetrate your armor and shut it down in the name of Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 6:11-13:  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand) Keep in mind, it’s not typically a one and done. The enemy will keep looking for ways to get in, past your armor, and break you down.  He doesn’t want you out there sharing the good news of God.  I have found the more focused I am on God in my life and the more actively I am walking in faith, the greater the stumbling blocks are that the enemy throws at my feet to trip me up.  Taking those attempts captive and casting them out sounds impossible but it is not, because you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13).

You are not alone.  You are never alone.  Look to God for strength and for wisdom.  Look to The Bible for God’s written word for guidance and understanding (write those beautiful, powerful, meaningful words on your heart!!).  Look to the church, your pastor and to small groups to be fed regularly and encouraged through God’s word and the shared love, knowledge and growth that goes hand in hand with knowing our Lord. Look to Christian music (worship service at church, radio, streaming services, etc.) for joyful encouragement, moments of reflection and reminders of God’s love and grace.  Look within you to the Holy Spirit, who resides in you, if you are saved, for guidance, direction, wisdom and encouragement.  If you are not yet saved, then I encourage you to look up and accept Jesus Christ into your heart as your Lord and Savior.   (Romans 10:9-10: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved) Look for like-minded people and listen to that still small voice (1 Kings 19:12) that guides you because it is the Holy Spirit.  Encourage one another and lift each other up in prayer.

You won’t have all the answers or fully understand your part in the greater masterpiece being created by God, but I encourage you to trust the process.  Step out in faith.  Take risks.  Push past your comfort zone.  And don’t be afraid to make a joyful noise unto the Lord (Psalm 100: 1-2) whether that noise is through music, prayer, writing, art, etc.  Don’t be afraid to let your voice be heard.  You are not alone.  You are never alone for God is with you always and resides in you.  What an amazing gift to have and to share with others.  

Thank you for joining me along my walk of discovery.  -Wanda