Renewal Is a Daily Practice
Comfort zones have a way of sneaking up on us. One moment, we’re pushing forward with vision and momentum, and the next, we’ve settled into a quiet, safe space that feels familiar. It doesn’t look dangerous. In fact, it feels good. But comfort zones are tricky—they disguise themselves as rest when in reality, they can quickly become cages.
I was reminded of this just recently—about 72 hours ago, in fact. Someone told me, “You like boxes.” At first, I was offended because of how it sounded. But then I realized it was a moment of clarity. It wasn’t who I am, but it revealed where I was in that moment. And until I acknowledged it, I couldn’t move differently.
The worst kind of deception is when we choose to believe a lie—or when we assume we are something that we are not. Who God says we are is who we really are. Our identity in Christ is unshakable. But if our minds aren’t renewed daily, those truths can slip in one ear and out the other. We start living from false identities, shrinking into boxes instead of walking in freedom.
That’s why renewal is a daily practice. It’s choosing God’s truth over the enemy’s lies in every area of life. It doesn’t happen naturally—it’s like swimming upstream. But it’s the only way to step out of boxes and into the full identity God has given us.
The Most Dangerous Belief: “I Can’t Do That”
There’s something deceptively subtle about “I can’t do that.” It doesn’t just limit you—it shapes your reality.
Research shows that beliefs impact outcomes through what psychologists call the Pygmalion effect: expectations, whether positive or negative, directly influence performance.
- Students who challenged limiting beliefs improved grades by 31% over two years.
- Professionals shedding those beliefs saw a 23% boost in job performance in six months.
- People discarding limiting beliefs about health became 3× more likely to sustain lifestyle changes.
But here’s the thing about limiting beliefs: they’re often so familiar that they feel normal. They’ve been with you so long that uncovering them can feel like peeling back layers you didn’t even know were there. That’s why I’m always asking God to reveal the areas in my life where I’m believing something about myself that isn’t true.
And almost every time, He uses someone in my life to shine a light on it—whether it’s a pastor, a leader, or a friend. In those moments, I have a choice: get offended or get delivered. I can reject what they’re saying because I don’t like how it sounds, or I can accept it, bring it before God, and start making the adjustment.
That’s the pathway out of the most dangerous belief. It’s not just hearing truth—it’s humbling yourself enough to respond to it.
Dreaming Before Doing
I always envisioned writing—volumes of books—even before I began. Then my coach challenged me: “Four books a month.” At first, it felt impossible. We eventually adjusted the goal from four a month to two, but here’s what shifted in me: once my comfort zone was challenged, I no longer wanted to stay within the limits of what felt easy. I wanted to push past what seemed reasonable and exceed what I might normally deem “comfortable.”
That’s the power of a challenging community. The right voices won’t let you settle in the safety of your own box. They stretch you, disrupt your excuses, and call out the capacity God placed within you. Without that push, I might have stayed in the dream stage. But accountability moved me from dreaming to doing.
And here’s the truth: dreaming and doing look different when you surrender your life to God. It’s not just about striving for more; it’s about being led by Him. For some, that may mean writing just one book—the kind of book that changes generations. (Harper Lee, for example, only wrote one novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, yet its impact is immeasurable.) For others, it may mean writing dozens, even hundreds, because their assignment requires it.
So this isn’t about quantity—it’s about purpose. The real danger is slowing down, pulling back, or boxing yourself in when God has positioned you in a season of maximum capacity.
I learned this firsthand. My comfort zone was challenged immediately after I published my last book over Labor Day weekend. The conversation was barely over before my coach asked, “Okay, what’s your goal for September?” In my mind, I was thinking: “Shoot, I need to look at moving before my lease renews. I’ve got this going on over here, that going on over there…” In the middle of getting snug and cozy in my new box of accomplishment, my coach yanked the box right off me. I was left sitting there realizing there was a problem: in the midst of what we may call success, we can still be standing in our own way.
Sometimes the very moment you want to slow down is actually a divine time—a season where God has aligned the help, resources, and strength you need to fulfill something greater. The box whispers, “Rest. Pull back. Minimize.” But God may be saying, “Lean in. This is maximum-capacity season.”
Breaking out of the box means recognizing those moments—not shrinking from them. With God strengthening you, you can do far more than comfort will ever allow.
When It’s “Go Season”
When God says it’s “Go Season,” He doesn’t wait for your life to settle down or for conditions to be perfect.
Excuses will whisper: “Take a break. Sit back. Wait for later.” But those breaks rarely end. Breaking free means swimming upstream—harder, yes, but freeing. Floating downstream in comfort requires no effort, but it leads straight to mediocrity.
When Gratitude Ushers in His Presence
As I was finishing my latest book on trauma, I wasn’t weighed down by exhaustion or deadlines. In fact, I had room to breathe. Writing wasn’t the hardest part—the challenge was making the decision to do it now.
One evening, while simply adjusting fonts, something shifted. Gratitude welled up inside me, and in that posture of thanksgiving, I became deeply aware of God’s tangible presence. He had never left me, but in that moment, His nearness was undeniable. Tears flowed freely.
This book, different from my first two on ministry and surrender, carried the weight of my 20+ years in education. It felt like God was giving me a glimpse of what He still wants to empower me to do. That moment reminded me: when we choose obedience and posture our hearts in gratitude, even ordinary tasks become encounters of extraordinary grace.
Breaking Out With God’s Help
Breaking out of the box isn’t about striving harder—it’s about surrendering deeper. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to teach, encourage, and empower us when our own strength falls short.
Testimony #1: Nick Vujicic
Nick was born without arms or legs. By all accounts, his life should have been confined to “can’t.” But Nick chose to believe God had more. Today, through his ministry Life Without Limbs, he preaches around the world that “a life without limbs can be a life without limits.”
Testimony #2: Watchman Nee
Watchman Nee, a Chinese church leader, spent 20 years imprisoned for his faith. Yet confinement didn’t box in his calling. His writings spread across the globe, fueling the underground church in China and inspiring Christians worldwide. Even prison walls couldn’t contain God’s purpose for his life.
Testimony #3: Henrietta Mears
Henrietta Mears began as a chemistry teacher battling health challenges. But her obedience to God’s call in Christian education transformed lives. Under her leadership, Sunday School attendance at her church grew from 400 to 6,500, and she mentored leaders like Billy Graham. She proved that a classroom teacher can become a world-shaper when she breaks out of the box of limitation.
These stories remind us: when we lean into God’s power, the walls of our boxes don’t stand a chance.
Steps to Break Free—with God
- Name the Belief – Identify the “I can’t” that holds you back.
- Challenge It – Is it true, or is it fear disguised as fact?
- Replace with Scripture – Speak God’s truth: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
- Lean on the Spirit – You don’t have to push forward alone. The Holy Spirit is your teacher, encourager, and strength.
- Lean into Community – Who has God placed in your life to challenge you? Their stretch is absolutely designed to break the box you’ve grown accustomed to. I’ve learned that a good accountability partner will yank the box right off you and leave you sitting there—then look at you and say, “Get up. We’ve got places to go.”
- Act Boldly – Small steps prove the walls of your box aren’t as strong as you thought.
- Stay Grateful – Gratitude ushers in God’s tangible presence, even in the ordinary.
Reflection Questions
- What limiting belief have you been repeating that shapes your reality?
- What box feels comfortable but is quietly confining your calling?
- Who has God placed in your life to stretch you? How have you responded?
- Where do you need to lean more on the Holy Spirit instead of yourself?
Closing Prayer
Lord, reveal the boxes I’ve built—whether from fear, excuses, or comfort. Give me courage to resist drifting downstream and the strength to step into what You’ve called me to do. Thank You for the gift of Your Spirit, who teaches me, empowers me, and meets me in both extraordinary and ordinary moments. Help me surrender deeper and trust that with You, I can do what once felt impossible.