Out of My Comfort Zone

Aug 15, 2021 | by The Fellowship

Throughout my life, I have always preferred to stay comfortable; no change meant no need to worry! Yet when God called me to study for an engineering degree in the petroleum energy industry, which cycles up and down, I took the first major step out of my comfort zone. My studies, though challenging, were going well, and I did not feel threatened by my future career path … until the spring semester of my freshman year!

I vividly remember waking up one morning to see a group text message from my class.  Everyone was in a frenzy as oil prices had tanked!  Soon, I left for Spring Break never to return to my apartment due to the pandemic. My two best friends, also with the same major, later transferred to other disciplines. That left me alone debating what to do next.  And praying for God to illuminate the path He had purposed for me!

I dislike making decisions, let alone life-altering ones!  But God blessed me by taking the crossroads I found myself in and giving me direction.  How clearly I remember hearing the Holy Spirit in my heart telling me to “stay the course!”  Once again, I was at peace!

Entering my second year of college, things were different. All of my classes were online, my friends who had graduated were struggling to get jobs, and to top it all off, my leg was broken! The pressure really began to weigh down my spirit as I started to apply for summer internships. Getting an internship helps decrease the need to do perfectly in class because it looks so good on your resume! But since the industry had hit a downturn over the past months, things were very competitive!

My first interview went very badly. I came away from it feeling completely backed into a corner and worthless. Was all the work I had put into my studies for nothing?  I felt like giving up!  But God has plans to prosper me and He blessed me with the comfort of my parents -- who encouraged me to try again.

Their advice proved invaluable because I ended up having one of the best interviews imaginable; I saw my value and felt proud of myself for simply trying again. Two weeks later, I got a summer job offer!  It was to go to North Dakota -- very far from my home in Katy.  This, too, was stressful!

I began researching online to locate suitable housing options and made inquiries about others my age, especially other females, who might also be interning there.  I was definitely worried about the details.   But once again, God had a plan!

One month before I was scheduled to start, the company contacted me out of the blue and asked if I would mind interning in the corporate offices in Houston instead of in the field in North Dakota!  What a huge relief!  I would be able to stay at home and commute daily to work.  The Texas internship included going to the field on short trips, which has been invaluable for on-the-job experience, and has given me the opportunity to meet many great people.

Even when things were uncertain, God comforted me and guided me in His plan.  I am so certain that He is the reason I am able to feel secure in my current circumstances and have experienced success. I still may not appreciate sudden changes in my life, but I know that He is molding my preparation for a career into something better than I could ever have imagined.

M.G.

Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. 
The things you planned for us no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. 
Psalm 40:5