When You’re Afraid to do What God’s asking
Have you ever had that moment when you know what God is asking…. but everything in you wants to say, “Can I get back to you on that?”
Maybe it’s something small- like sending a text to someone you’ve been avoiding.
Maybe it’s something big - a move, a breakup, a career change, or a conversation you’re afraid will change everything in an instant.
Whatever it is - you feel that nudge, and you’d rather stay where you are, where you’re comfortable - you’d rather stay in the known, because the unknown can be… terrifying.
Ask the Right Questions
Before we get tangled up in the what, let's start with the why.
Why do you think it’s God who is doing the prompting?
I’m an idea person, and I always have been. It’s easy for my mind to wander into a “what if” world and camp out there for way too long….
I’ve had moments where I’ve really had to decipher whether the “nudges” I’ve felt were from God.
Was it God?
Or the product of my own ideas and desires?
Was it God?
Or fear in the driver's seat in my life?
Was it God?
Or my flesh pulling me toward what I hope is true?
Was it God?
Or indigestion from eating Taco Bell at 10 pm?
God can truly speak through anyone or anything He desires to (maybe even Taco Bell?)
However, in my experience, there is something distinctly different when I truly hear from God. And the more I learn to listen for his voice, the more I tend to hear it.
John 10:27
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
If you’ve ever asked the question, “Am I hearing from God?” Pause right now and give yourself some credit. The fact that you’re asking the question means you are striving to listen, which can be difficult in our world of distractions.
Once you start recognizing His voice, the next challenge is responding.
Test it Against Truth
Here’s the most essential filter:
If what you think you heard contradicts God’s Word, you can stop questioning - it’s not from Him.
He won’t ask you to do the right thing the wrong way.
He won’t lead you to something that harms or deceives.
He won’t call you to abandon what He’s already asked you to steward faithfully.
Scripture doesn’t just confirm direction - it anchors it.
Psalms 119:105
Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
Pro Tip: Google can actually be your friend here. If you’re unsure what the bible says about a topic- type in your question and see what verses pop up! It goes without saying… don’t believe every yahoo on the internet (including yours truly)- but it’s okay to let a tool like Google help when you’re not sure where in scripture to start.
After we’re sure it’s Him, it helps to have people who help us see clearly.
Don’t Go Alone (But Choose Your Voices Carefully)
Community matters when you’re trying to discern what God is telling you. We need people in our lives who can ask great questions and help us discern what God is calling us to do-
…but not every voice deserves equal weight.
If you’re seeking wisdom about leaving a lifestyle, job, or relationship, the people who benefit from you staying the same might not be the ones to ask.
If you feel called to take a step of faith, people not aligned with your faith journey are likely not the best sounding board for you.
If you’re entering a new and intimidating phase of life, those who have never been there before likely don’t have the same discernment about how God may be working and moving in your life as someone who has traveled this path.
It’s not that we should completely throw out the insights of others, but we should be careful whose words we give weight to.
Choose trusted, spiritually grounded people who will ask good questions, not just echo your preferences (or theirs). God often speaks through others - but He rarely uses a chorus of comfort to drown out conviction.
Proverbs 12:15
The way of fools seems right to them,
but the wise listen to advice.
Once you’ve surrounded yourself with wise voices, timing becomes the next step.
Understand the Timing
Part of what makes steps of faith difficult is the pressure we feel to act fast.
One of the best things we can do is take the time to discern the first step.
Sometimes that first step is the giant leap.
Sometimes it’s a small step.
Sometimes it’s a complete life overhaul.
Sometimes it’s a simple shift in perspective.
Do you know Who can answer that question for you? The same One who called you in the first place.
Pausing isn’t always disobedience. God isn’t going to revoke His calling if you don’t act fast enough.
You don’t have to dig very far into scripture to find a story of someone who hesitates when they hear from God - and do you know what we see over and over… and over… and over again? We see God show up even in the midst of the pause - in the middle of the questioning- and even in those moments of running (...just watch out for any man-eating sized fish….)
And the best possible news? He’s still right there, and He can handle our big questions.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
Remember Why It Matters
Obedience isn’t God’s way of testing our compliance—it’s His way of leading us to purpose.
Every step of faith, big or small, draws you closer to the life you were created to live. There is a YOU-shaped hole in the world that only you can fill. You will never be fully satisfied until you discover your purpose and live it out.
You may not be able to see the whole map, but here’s the good news- you know the One who can.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
The Bottom Line
If you believe God is calling you to something today…
Seek wise counsel
Pray for clarity
Then Move
You don’t need all the details to take the next step.
You just need to trust the One giving the directions.
And even if the road feels unclear, every step of faith draws you nearer to Him - and to the purpose only you can live out.
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Want to dig further? Check Out Season 2 Episode 10 of the Everyday Truths Podcast
