Step Out in Faith: The Courage to Say Yes Before You See What’s Next
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Let me talk to the woman who loves Jesus, knows she has a calling, but keeps hesitating because everything isn’t perfectly lined up yet. You know who you are.
You are waiting for a few more things to fall into place, a little more confidence, a little more clarity, a little more confirmation before you step out in faith. You keep telling yourself, “I’ll start when…”
Here is the truth. “When” rarely shows up the way you expect it to.
Be sure to download your free copy of our printable Step Out in Faith Bible Study, Reflection and Action Challenge guide with worksheets at the end of this post! No sign up required!
The Call to Start Before You’re Ready
There will never be a perfect time. There will never be a magical moment where you feel completely ready, completely confident, and completely prepared. If you are waiting for ideal conditions, you will be waiting until Jesus returns.
Faith was never meant to thrive in comfort zones. Faith is built in those uncomfortable, uncertain places where you have to trust God because you cannot see what is ahead.
Ecclesiastes 11:4 says:
“Whoever keeps watching the wind will not sow
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and whoever gazes at the clouds will not reap.”
If you are constantly waiting for the perfect moment, you will never begin. Obedience isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about trusting God enough to move forward, even while you are still holding unanswered questions.
Why We Wait: The Trap of Waiting for Perfect Conditions
The Illusion of Control
We crave clarity because we believe it gives us control. We want a full map, a detailed itinerary, and a guarantee before starting the journey. But God often says, “Take the first step, and I will show you the rest as you go.” That desire for certainty can keep you trapped in hesitation.
Fear Masquerading as Wisdom
We dress up fear in some very spiritual-sounding outfits:
- “I’m still praying about it” (when we’ve been praying for years).
- “I need more confirmation” (even though God has confirmed it six different ways already).
- “I just need more clarity” (but what we really need is courage).
The High Cost of Delayed Obedience
James 4:17 says:
“Therefore whoever knows the right thing to do and does not do it—for him it is sin.”
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That verse is a little uncomfortable, isn’t it? But it is true. Delayed obedience is still disobedience. The longer we hesitate, the longer we stay outside of what God is trying to do in and through us.
Biblical Examples of Stepping Out in Faith
Abraham: Go Without Knowing (Genesis 12:1)
God called Abraham to leave his country without telling him where he was going. I won’t leave the driveway without knowing where I am going! Abraham obeyed, trusting God’s character more than he needed details.
Moses and the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21)
The Red Sea didn’t part while Moses stood there thinking about it. The sea moved when Moses moved.
Joshua and Jericho (Joshua 6)
The walls didn’t fall because Joshua had a brilliant military strategy. They fell after seven days of marching and trusting God’s instructions that made no sense in the natural.
Peter Walks on Water (Matthew 14:29)
Peter didn’t walk on water while clinging to the boat. He had to step out and trust Jesus on the waves.
Esther: Courage Under Threat (Esther 4:16)
Esther risked her life to approach the king, boldly saying, “If I perish, I perish.” Her obedience saved a nation.
Movement Precedes Miracles
All throughout Scripture, movement triggers God’s provision. Obedience opens the door for God’s power to show up. God consistently honors faith that moves, even when that movement feels terrifying.
What it Actually Looks Like When You Step Out in Faith
Obedience Over Perfection
God never asked you to be perfect. He asked you to be willing. Start where you are, even if it feels messy.
Courage in the Face of Fear
Courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s saying, “I’m scared, but I’m doing it anyway.”
Trusting God’s Character Over Circumstances
We move forward not because everything looks safe, but because we trust the character of the God who called us.
The Neuroscience of Fear and Faith
How Fear Paralyzes Action
Fear triggers that fight, flight, or freeze response in your brain. When you stay there too long, you stay stuck.
I know this from personal experience. After Covid, I was afraid to go out. Not because of Covid but because I had become SO accustomed to being at home that going out and driving or being in strange situations was difficult.
The longer I put it off, the greater the fear became and the more paralyzed by it I became.
How Faith Rewires the Brain Towards Courage
Every small act of obedience creates new mental pathways that build trust in God and grow your confidence to move forward. (Doige)
5 Common Lies That Keep You Waiting
- “I’m not qualified.”
- “The timing isn’t right.”
- “I need to know everything first.”
- “I’m not good enough.”
- “Someone else is already doing it better.”
Let’s look at these in some more detail!
1. “I’m not qualified.”
Well, join the rest of us. God has made a habit of picking the most unlikely candidates. Moses stuttered. David was tending sheep. Esther was an orphan. The disciples were a mismatched group of ordinary men. If being qualified was the requirement, nobody would be doing anything. God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called. So let’s stop using that as an excuse and start using it as a reason to trust Him.
2. “The timing isn’t right.”
Translation: “I’m scared, and this feels uncomfortable.” There will always be something that makes the timing feel off. Life is never going to clear a perfectly smooth path with flashing neon signs that say, “Start now.” Sometimes God’s timing starts with your decision to move, not your feelings of readiness. Waiting on perfect timing often becomes spiritual-sounding procrastination.
3. “I need to know everything first.”
If Abraham waited for the full itinerary, he’d still be sitting in Ur. God doesn’t hand out blueprints; He gives directions one step at a time. You don’t need to know how it will all work out before you start. You need to know the One who called you. Trust Him enough to move with what you know and let Him fill in the rest as you go.
4. “I’m not good enough.”
The truth is, none of us are fully equipped on our own. That’s why grace exists. God has never been impressed with our résumés. Paul said it best: “When I am weak, then I am strong.” If you were enough on your own, you wouldn’t need Him. Your weakness is actually the very stage where God displays His strength.
5. “Someone else is already doing it better.”
Of course they are. And there will always be someone. But here’s the thing: they aren’t you. They don’t have your voice, your story, or your assignment. God didn’t call you to compete; He called you to contribute. The Kingdom doesn’t need copies. It needs you walking in your lane, doing your assignment, your way.
How to Discern God’s Voice vs. Fear
The Role of Peace
God’s direction may stretch you, but it will bring peace deep in your spirit.
Scriptural Alignment
God will never lead you into anything that contradicts His Word.
Godly Counsel
Mature believers can help confirm what God is speaking.
Practical Action Plan for Stepping Out in Faith
- Identify the step God is calling you to take.
- Pray for wisdom, not perfection.
- Set a date to act.
- Find accountability partners.
- Take the first small step.
What Happens When You Move
- You grow through obedience.
- God’s provision meets you as you move.
- Your faith grows stronger with each step of trust.
The Enemy’s Strategy: Paralysis Through Fear
Fear is one of the enemy’s favorite tools because it doesn’t always shout; sometimes it whispers. It plants quiet thoughts like, “What if you fail?” “What if people criticize you?” “What if you heard God wrong?” The goal isn’t just to scare you. The goal is to stop you.
The enemy doesn’t need you to turn away from God to win. He just needs you to stay frozen. As long as you stay paralyzed in indecision, you’re not fulfilling what God has assigned to you. You’re not using your gifts. You’re not walking in your calling. You’re simply stuck.
But here’s what fear forgets (or at least hopes YOU forget): fear is a liar. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
Every time you take a step forward in obedience, you are resisting the enemy’s agenda. You’re proving that fear does not get to call the shots. And that, my friend, makes you dangerous to the kingdom of darkness.
Stepping Out In Faith Scriptures
5 Scriptures to Strengthen Your Faith When You’re Afraid
1. Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you,
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be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, I will surely help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
You are not alone. His strength holds you steady even when you feel shaky.
2. 2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity but of power and love and self-discipline.”
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Fear didn’t come from God. Power, love, and a disciplined mind did.
3. Isaiah 43:1-2
“But now, thus says Adonai — the One who created you, O Jacob, the One who formed you, O Israel:
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‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, nor will the flame burn you.'”
God’s presence goes before you. He provides comfort because He never leaves your side.
4. Psalm 56:4
“In a day when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.”
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Fear may knock at the door, but trust is your answer.
5. Deuteronomy 31:6
“Chazak! Be courageous! Do not be afraid or tremble before them. For Adonai your God—He is the One who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.”
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Your courage doesn’t come from circumstances. It comes from who walks beside you.
My Final Thoughts: Faith Is Taking The First Step
You have waited long enough.
It is time to move. Not because you have every detail, but because you trust the God who does.
Write the email. Make the call. Start the outline. Launch the project. Submit the application. Apply for the job. Start the study. Take the course.
Even if your hands are shaking. Even if your voice is trembling. Even if your stomach is full of butterflies.
Move anyway. God moves when we move. As you step, He will guide your steps.
And don’t forget to download your free copy of our Step Out in Faith Bible Study, Reflection and Action Challenge guide below!
Before You Go
If this encouraged you, challenged you, or gave you that little nudge you’ve been needing, I’d love for you to stay connected. I share even more faith-filled teaching, encouragement, and real talk over on Substack.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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What does it really mean to step out in faith?
It means acting in obedience to God even when you do not feel fully prepared or confident, trusting Him to guide and sustain you.
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How do I know it’s God’s voice and not my own?
God’s voice aligns with Scripture, brings peace, and is often confirmed by godly counsel.
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What if I fail after I step out in faith?
Obedience is never failure. God uses every step for growth and refinement.
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Can God use my small beginning?
Yes. Zechariah 4:10 reminds us not to despise small beginnings. God delights in seeing the work begin.
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How do I overcome fear to obey God?
Replace fear with truth. Meditate on God’s promises, take small steps, and trust that God equips those He calls.
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About Our Author
Diane Ferreira is a Jewish believer in Yeshua, a published author, speaker, seminary student, wife, proud mom, and bulldog mama. She is the author of several books, including The Proverbs 31-ish Woman, which debuted as Amazon’s #1 New Release in Religious Humor. She is also CEO of Vale & Vine Press Publishing Company. She is currently pursuing her graduate degree in Jewish Studies, with her favorite topics being the early church and Biblical Hebrew. Diane writes and teaches from a unique perspective, bridging her Jewish heritage with vibrant faith in the Messiah to bring clarity, depth, and devotion to everyday believers.
When she’s not writing, studying, or teaching, you’ll find her curled up with a theology book, crocheting something cozy, or negotiating couch space with her bulldog, Gronk.
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Doidge, Norman. The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science. Viking Penguin, 2007.
Tree of Life (TLV) – Scripture taken from the Holy Scriptures, Tree of Life Version*. Copyright © 2014,2016 by the Tree of Life Bible Society. Used by permission of the Tree of Life Bible Society.