Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone - Soul Choice Ministries

Many times we all experience something uncomfortable in our lives such as a new career, relocating to a different state or country, increased responsibilities, a new relationship, or inheriting new family members through marriage.

Bill, tell us about the experience you wrote about in your book, 23 Minutes in Hell.

I experienced something way out of my comfort zone when I began to share the vision God gave me of hell. I had a fear of public speaking. My worst class in school was English, because it involved speaking and writing, both of which I distained. I was not skilled with writing a story, or standing in front of people to deliver a speech. Now here I was faced with having to do both.

But an even greater discomfort was sharing such a serious and difficult message in a way people could understand. Because of the topic’s severity, I felt that I needed to be the most gifted orator on the planet.

Bill, didn’t you say there was something even more difficult to share?

Yes, because of meeting Jesus, I highly reverenced that time, and I didn’t want to expose it for ridicule. Meeting Him was like nothing anyone could ever describe. When I was at his feet, I felt so dirty, being next to a perfect, holy and Almighty God. His purity, love, and perfection are beyond explanation. But He immediately took away the unworthy and sinful feeling I was having, and filled me with His forgiveness, His acceptance, and His overwhelming love. Ephesians 3:19 says, His love passes knowledge. It is far beyond any love a person could ever experience here on earth.

Now I truly valued the experience in order to motivate me to tell others the way of salvation, but I didn’t want to actually share the vision. To say I’ve been to hell would come across as a delusion, a deception, or just plain crazy. This experience was not something I asked for, or ever wanted. Being of a conservative nature, to be associated with something seemingly so radical is not comfortable for me. However, I am now able to overlook my discomfort in light of God’s eternal perspective.

Bill, didn’t you also say that there was something more important than sharing your experience?

Yes, the scriptures about hell are what are most important for people to hear, and not necessarily my experience. However, the vision coincides with the Scripture, and this is what enables me to share it. Everything I saw is already in the Bible.

This is why in my book, 23 Minutes in Hell, I document over 150 verses about hell and destruction for those who reject Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Bill, what was the reason you said God gave you this vision?

The reason I was shown this place was to bring back a message of warning. My story is not one to condemn, but rather to inform that hell is a real place—it does exist, and it’s terrifying. God’s desire is that not one person would go there.

But the sad and simple fact is that people make the choice to go to hell every day. Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14, that many are going to hell, and few are going to heaven. Jesus also said in Matthew 12:37 that a persons own words send them to hell. They deny Him, who is the only way of salvation, even after they hear the warning of an eternal hell for those who refuse to repent.

In our society, warnings serve to protect us from harm. Not only are warnings welcomed guideposts, but we expect them to be posted on everything from toothpaste to real estate. For instance, in the real estate industry, contracts are written to protect the buyer and disclose to that buyer all facts known. In fact, the buyer would be outraged if he or she were not given full disclosure.

What loving parent does not warn his or her children not to play in a busy street? When the sky turns dark and the winds increase, we look to our local news channel to communicate tornado or hurricane warnings.

So why is it that when God warns us of what will happen if we travel down the wrong road, we are quick to say that He is myopic and condemning? Or we say He is judgmental! The truth is that He warns us because He is a good God, one who loves us and wants to help, guide, and protect us.

Personally, His warnings are most welcome in my life.

And hell is by far, worse than any mind can conceive. I now feel comfortable sharing this experience because I have seen the positive effect it has had on thousands who have repented of their sins and come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

If God has called you out of your comfort zone, then I encourage you to quickly obey Him! You will be the most fulfilled human being when you follow His perfect will for your life.

My horrifying journey felt like it lasted an eternity but in actuality, it lasted less than half an hour. Those twenty-three minutes were more than enough to convince me that I would never want to return for even one more minute.

It has now become my life’s purpose to tell others what I saw, heard, and felt in this place of torment. My wife and I pray that all who hear our message will take the proper measures to steer clear of this place at all costs.