Uncomfortable

When my dad and I went to San Diego for the "Rehabber's Bootcamp" a theme came up that has been resonating with me a lot lately- the value of being uncomfortable. I think I am like many, most even, in that I tend to avoid discomfort in general- whether it be emotional or physical. I tend to like to do things I'm good at, avoid rejection and unpleasant feelings and dwell in this generally comfortable space. I don't like exercising beyond what's "comfortable", I don't want a tattoo because that would be uncomfortable, I avoid confrontational people and situations... You get the point. As I think about our society in general, at least the circle of people I tend to be around, I think there is a strong tendency toward staying in our "comfort zones" whatever those might be. Obviously, some people are totally comfortable doing things that would terrify others but the point is that I'm not sure how often we really think about or see the value in stretching ourselves. I remember smirking to myself (inside) when I had a student last quarter who was explaining to me that he wanted to work by himself rather than in a group because being in a group made him uncomfortable, as did reading out loud, doing presentations and a variety of other class activities. I told him it was ok that he was uncomfortable but it was still a required part of the class, knowing that I had a specific intention to help students learn and grow through their discomfort. Yet, how often do I take on "discomfort" for the sake of my own growth? Having the strength of being a "learner", I do desire to be good at many things, but going through the awkward "becoming good" at them is another story... so I usually stay where I am. Lately, though, I've decided that growing is more important than the growing pains it will require. To be a good real estate agent, I will have to become more outgoing than is comfortable for me. To be a good mother, I will have to be more confrontational sometimes than is comfortable for me. To be a good teacher, I will have to put student needs ahead of my own and try things that are uncomfortable for me. And to be a good wife... well, I think I have and am already pushing myself quite a bit in that area ; ) I'm still pretty new to this approach, but I've already had some breakthroughs in going out of my comfort zone asking for help, being assertive and getting our internet and TV bills lowered for the next year, making phone calls to other brokers about the house we're trying to sell, etc. It's scary to put myself out there- I worry the person on the other end will think I'm incompetent or naive or won't care about my request. I worry about feeling rejected, disappointed, embarrassed, but when I really weigh what's the best and the worst that can happen and I put my own ego aside, I have found that it's not as difficult and daunting as it originally seemed. I used to use the excuse that "it's just not me" or "that's not who God made me" but now I'm starting to think that sometimes God makes us precisely to set us up for getting over ourselves, our fears, and other things that hold us back. Maybe I was born an introvert so I would rely on God to get me through the discomfort of becoming someone friendly and outgoing because when we're uncomfortable, we're vulnerable and when we're vulnerable, God is able to do His greatest work through us since we're less likely to let ourselves get in His way...