Stepping Out In Faith: Answering God's Call

Stepping out in faith is about taking a leap into the unknown and trusting that something greater than yourself will guide you through life's challenges. It's about moving out of your comfort zone and daring to do things differently, even when it feels scary and uncertain. This might mean starting a new business, moving to a new city, or answering a calling to foster children. It's about surrendering to God's will and trusting that He will provide what you need to fulfil your purpose. It requires courage, a willingness to take risks, and a deep trust in God's plan for your life.

Denounce the spirit of fear

The first step to stepping out in faith is to recognise and denounce the spirit of fear. Fear is a natural human emotion, but when it becomes overwhelming and prevents us from taking action, it becomes a spirit that has no place in a believer's life. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

The cure to such fear is faith. To step out in faith is to move out of your comfort zone and do things differently, taking risks for God and trying something new. It is about trusting God fully and knowing that He will guide and equip you to accomplish His will, even if it doesn't make logical sense.

• Write down your ideas: Don't underestimate the power of writing things down. When God gives you an idea, write it down, and don't be afraid to take that first step.
• Pray and use Scripture: Pray about your ideas and listen for God's instructions. He will show you how to take that leap of faith.
• Seek Godly advice: Look for individuals who have experience in similar situations and learn from them. Draw near to them, ask questions, and build a relationship.
• Affirmations: Speak words of affirmation over your life daily. For example, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."
• Depend on the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit empowers and equips you to step out in faith. Trust in Him to direct your steps and give you boldness.
• Remind yourself of your 'why': There is always a reason why you started. When things get tough, remind yourself of that reason and keep moving forward.

Trust God over yourself

Trusting God over yourself is a cornerstone of Christianity. It is the belief that God's plan for you is greater than anything you could imagine for yourself. This means letting go of control and surrendering to His will, even when it feels scary or uncertain.

When God calls you to step out in faith, it is often because He wants to grow and mature your faith by helping you learn to trust and rely on Him. This can be a challenging process, as it requires you to move beyond your comfort zone and embrace the unknown. It might mean doing something that doesn't seem logical or typical, and it will certainly require courage. But taking these leaps of faith will lead you deeper into God's plan for your life and will bring you closer to Him.

• Recognise His Voice: Know how God speaks to you. He may use scripture, bringing a particular verse to your mind repeatedly. He may speak through other people, such as pastors, friends, or family members.
• Surrender to His Will: Let go of pride, idols, and self-determined plans. Choose to trust God over yourself and lay down anything He asks you to give up. Remember, He may not reveal the "how" right away, but He will guide you as you take that first step of faith.
• Rely on Him: Stepping out in faith often requires more than you can do on your own. It will cause you to depend on God and His ways. He will provide what you need, even if it's not everything you want.
• Believe in His Power: Have faith that God is more powerful than any unknown challenges ahead. Denounce the spirit of fear and affirm your trust in Him. Remember, He has equipped you for this journey and will continue to guide and provide for you.
• Obey Unconditionally: Set aside your doubts and fears and push forward. Trust that God will honour His promises, even if they don't make sense right now. Ask Him to increase your ability to trust Him each day.
• Celebrate Victories: Don't forget to celebrate each tiny victory along the way. True growth comes from working through each small step, and celebrating these moments will provide you with renewed faith.

Remember, God loves you and has your best interest at heart. When you start letting go of fear and stepping out in faith with Him, your life will be forever transformed.

Be aware of the problem

Stepping out in faith is about moving out of your comfort zone and doing things differently. It is about taking a risk for God and trying something new. It is about following God's instructions, even if they don't make sense to your human mind.

Awareness is a critical aspect of stepping out in faith. It involves becoming more conscious of existing problems and feeling a strong sense of responsibility to address them. For instance, you might have always been aware of orphans, but lately, you find yourself increasingly concerned about them and thinking of ways to help. This heightened awareness could be a sign that God is calling you to step out in faith and serve those children without parents.

Another example could be when you know that God has asked you to do something, but He has not revealed how to do it. Usually, this is a sign that God wants you to step out in faith so He can guide you and show you what to do when the time comes. He might be asking you to surrender something to Him, such as pride, idols, or self-determined plans.

Sometimes, stepping out in faith means letting go of control, which can be challenging and scary. It might mean taking a leap of faith without knowing the next step, trusting that God will guide you into the unknown. It requires a mindset that embraces risk and discomfort and believes that God's grace is more powerful than any unknown challenges ahead.

Additionally, it is important to remember that you might face opposition or naysayers when you step out in faith. There might be people who try to silence your voice or discourage you from following God's call. However, if you have confirmation from God and support from others, keep moving forward and don't let the negative voices deter you.

In conclusion, being aware of a problem or a need and feeling compelled to address it is often a crucial first step in stepping out in faith. This awareness can be a powerful indicator that God is calling you to take action and trust Him to guide and equip you along the way.

Listen to God's instructions

Listening to God's instructions is paramount when stepping out in faith. Here are some ways to tune in to God's guidance:

Prayer and Scripture

Prayer and studying scripture are essential channels through which God communicates with us. Spending time in prayer and meditating on the Bible can help us discern God's voice and instructions for our lives. Through prayer, we can seek God's guidance and wisdom, and in scripture, we may find answers and direction.

Awareness and Confirmation

Sometimes, God speaks to us through our awareness of existing problems or needs. For example, you might find yourself increasingly concerned about a particular issue, such as orphans, and feel compelled to take action. This heightened awareness could be God calling you to step out in faith and serve in a specific area.

Additionally, God may confirm His instructions through various means. He may bring a particular scripture to your attention repeatedly, or He might speak through other people, such as pastors, friends, or family members, who can offer insight or suggest an area you should explore.

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding believers. It empowers us to obey God and helps us recognise His will. We can depend on the Holy Spirit to lead and direct our steps as we move forward in faith.

Trust and Obedience

Stepping out in faith often involves trusting God and obeying His instructions, even when they don't make logical sense or align with our plans. It requires surrendering our own desires, pride, and self-determined plans. We must trust that God will equip us with what we need to fulfil His purpose, even if it feels uncomfortable or scary.

Courage and Faithfulness

Answering God's call may require courage to face our fears and step into the unknown. Like Peter walking on water, we must keep our eyes on Jesus, who gives us strength and courage. We need to boldly take that first step, trusting that God will guide us and provide for us along the way.

Denouncing Fear

Fear can be a significant hindrance to stepping out in faith. However, we must remember that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). We can denounce fear by praying, using scripture, and speaking words of affirmation over our lives.

In conclusion, listening to God's instructions is a vital aspect of stepping out in faith. Through prayer, scripture, awareness, confirmation, and the leading of the Holy Spirit, we can discern God's voice and follow His instructions, even when they take us out of our comfort zone.

Seek Godly advice

Seeking Godly advice is an important step when you're trying to step out in faith. Here are some ways to do that:

Find a Mentor

Look for someone who has walked a similar path before you and learn from them. Draw close to them, ask them questions, and consider asking them to mentor you. They can provide valuable insight and guidance as you navigate your own journey of stepping out in faith.

Study the Scriptures

God speaks to us through His Word, the Bible. Spend time reading and meditating on Scripture, and pay attention to verses or passages that stand out to you. The Holy Spirit can bring specific scriptures to your heart and mind, providing guidance and direction.

Prayer

Prayer is a powerful tool for seeking Godly advice. Through prayer, you can express your thoughts and concerns to God and listen for His response. It's a way to have a conversation with God and seek His will for your life. Spend time in prayer regularly and listen for His still, small voice.

Christian Community

Surround yourself with a community of believers who can support and advise you. This could include fellow church members, a small group, or Christian friends and family. They can provide wisdom, encouragement, and accountability as you step out in faith.

Listen to Godly Teachers and Preachers

Listen to sermons, teachings, and podcasts from trusted Christian leaders and pastors. Their messages can often provide guidance and insight, helping you to apply biblical principles to your own life and situation.

Discernment

As you seek advice, it's important to use discernment. Not all advice is godly advice. Evaluate the advice you receive against Scripture and pray for wisdom to recognize God's leading. Remember that ultimately, God will give you the strength and guidance you need to step out in faith.

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