Our Comfort Zones Left Us

by | Jun 24, 2020

girl standing on precipice

Alma 17-22

Leaving our comfort zones used to be a choice. Now we find our comfort zones leaving us. Whether it’s the pandemic, the riots, earthquakes, lock-down, finances, hurricanes, political party instability, fear and worry, the disbanding of police, unemployment, persecutions or hostility – I’ve certainly felt the apprehension. My question is, how do we cope moving forward?

The scripture study this week brought a lot of much needed peace. I wrote about this because I’ve been in an ongoing state of “freaked out” until I read about the sons of Mosiah. Then it hit all at once – the best life doesn’t mean great circumstances or comfort zones. It means securing your relationship with heaven and “…come what may and love it!” (Joseph B. Wirthlin)

The priorities of our lives are changing for the better.

Shawnie Cannon ~ Divine Code

Sons of Mosiah

Here enters the story of the sons of Mosiah and their giant, cliff-like leap out of their comfort zone. Their scene hit my heart with impact. They intentionally leave behind the titles of “prince” and “king” and jump head first into a brutal crowd of folks who view them with major contempt. Among those who would likely torment and murder them.

Amazingly, it was all voluntary.

13 “…for they supposed that great was the work which they had undertaken.”

14 And assuredly it was great, for they had undertaken to preach the word of God to a wild and a hardened and a ferocious people; a people who delighted in murdering the Nephites, and robbing and plundering them…” (Alma 17:13-14)

It got pretty hard sometimes!

29 “…for behold they were naked, and their skins were worn exceedingly because of being bound with strong cords. And they also had suffered hunger, thirst, and all kinds of afflictions; nevertheless they were patient in all their sufferings. (Alma 20:29)

They chose to risk everything familiar. Yet, it brought unimaginable, extraordinary successes. They literally transformed a whole population to new understanding and light, and became a missionary legend. The high adventure they share is one of the most captivating stories found in the book of Alma.

Our World

Our world has become uncomfortable, challenging and even hostile but we need not feel our circumstances are inferior or “wrong.” We’re actually on schedule. For example, some of the signs of the times are disease, earthquakes, famines and the loss of peace [see D&C 43:25 and D&C 1:35]. It’s all part of the process of preparing the world for the Second Coming.

Even more important, it’s all a part of preparing each one of us individually for the Second Coming. The priorities of our lives are changing for the better. Instead of regret or fear, the Lord counsels us to be at peace even in the middle of world chaos, monumental change, and personal setbacks.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

Object Lesson

For an object lesson in Relief Society, I placed a small flickering tea light in a paper bag and set it on the table at the front of the room. With all the room lights on, it wasn’t even noticeable. The sisters mostly didn’t register it was there. When I turned the lights out – every eye in the room was drawn to the tea light. That little light, even in a paper bag, became the most prominent focus in the room.

A real-life “little light” experience: we had excitedly anticipated trips this summer to Costa Rica and Japan, only to have our plans painfully, sadly cancelled. So we grew a garden instead and spend a lot of our time outside in the yard. Now our neighbors come and talk to us about our recent, curious attempts to grow things. Which in turn, leads to more important discussions including ones about our beliefs.

We’ve had conversations with at least 20 different people over the last few weeks which would not have happened otherwise. Even more awesome, we now exchange bread, cookies, garden supplies, visits and friendly news with people we didn’t know well before.

Takeaway

Instead of regretting our changes of fortune, take each day as it comes and seek inspired ways to bring gospel light and living into the darkness of our times. The darker it becomes, the more obvious our light will appear to others who are seeking.

In the same way the sons of Mosiah left their comfort zone in order to move a miraculous work forward, we are called to do the same in our time.

Shawnie Cannon ~ Divine Code

May you find joy and greater meaning…even during these present disappointments and hard circumstances.

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