Taking the Leap of Faith: Trusting God in Uncertainty

Have you ever found yourself metaphorically standing at the edge of a cliff, looking out over a vast chasm? On one side lies your current life. This side is filled with dissatisfactions, struggles, and confusion. On the other side? That’s where the answers to your longings reside—God’s plans for you, the fulfillment of your dreams, and the resources to make it all happen. However, to get there, it sometimes feels like you must leave all that you know. You have to take a leap of faith; you must trust God.

The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” Genesis 12:1

In our walk with Jesus, we often encounter moments of decision. Will we allow faith and trust to be our guiding light in the darkness of the unknown? They go hand in hand. But let’s take a moment to unpack what each of them really means.

Faith vs. Trust: What’s the Difference?

Faith is that strong belief in something. It is a knowing without needing proof that God is who He says He is. However, even in faith, a question may pop up: “Will He do what He has promised... for me?” Faith is a foundation, while trust is an invitation. When you read the scriptures, you see the consistency of His character throughout the lives of people in the Bible. You may not have experienced it all firsthand yet, but faith is the foundation that believes what He did is true.

Trust is built on experience. It’s the confidence that comes from having seen God’s faithfulness in your life and the lives of others. Trust is like a muscle; the more we exercise it, the stronger it becomes. We begin to experience who God is for us personally when we take those steps and find Him faithful in our uncertainty. As trust takes root and blossoms, it becomes a beautiful reality of His Kingdom come, His will be done in our lives.

However, we can allow our relationship with God to be easily broken. When God doesn’t respond in the way we expected, we often retreat to protect our hearts. It may feel less painful to accept that we can’t trust Him than to risk trusting again and facing disappointment.

Let’s Get Clear on the Goals

When helping couples or business partners, the first step involves getting super clear on the goal. Everyone needs to agree on the goal. Otherwise, it’s like two people working hard but rowing in different directions. You’re both going nowhere, and eventually, everyone feels weary and frustrated. However, once we clarify the goal, achieving it becomes easier.

In your spiritual partnership with Jesus, are you in agreement on the goal?

God makes it clear what His goal is. In Romans 8:28-29, Paul reminds us that “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them…For God foreknew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son…”

God’s goal for us is that we’d have faith in His love for us and trust that He is working all things together for our good, even if the process is scary or uncomfortable. It’s all aimed at transforming us into the likeness of His Son, Jesus. Full stop. Nothing more, nothing less.

Accepting this can be a challenging realization. We often desire security regarding finances, careers, and life balance. However, sometimes, God’s plan involves challenges that clash with our vision of a “good” life. It’s in these moments we must lean into our faith and acknowledge any hindrances that disrupt our trust.

I can’t tell you how many times I find myself praying, “Holy Spirit, please give me the strength to live a life that glorifies God in whatever circumstance.” It’s a daily battle against the torrent of “what-if” thoughts that threaten to overwhelm me. Yet, every time I struggle internally until I can take a small, trusting step of faith, I discover that God meets me there. He does so without judgment—only joy. He knows what it took for me to take that small step, and He celebrates it. My trust in Him deepens.

Taking the Leap of Faith

So, how do we cultivate faith and trust in our lives? Here are a few practical steps:

1. Read Scripture: Immerse yourself in God’s Word. The more you engage with it, the more the Holy Spirit can reveal His character. This makes it easier to trust Him.

   
   

2. Reflect on Past Experiences: Take time to remember moments when God has been faithful in your life. How did He show up for you? What did you learn from those experiences?

   
   

3. Take Small Steps: Start with small acts of faith. It could be reaching out to someone in need or making a risky decision. Each step builds your trust in God.

   
   

4. Find a Community: Surround yourself with others also on their faith journeys. Sharing experiences provides encouragement and accountability. Talking about our steps of faith reminds us we are not alone. Together, we can support each other as we navigate the uncertainty of life.

   
   

5. Seek to Reconcile with God: It’s vital to listen to your heart! Often, it has reasons for distrusting God. If trust feels broken because God didn’t come through when you needed Him, consider booking a Heart Healing session.

   
   

Your heart needs a safe space to be heard. Differences need to be reconciled. As hard as you try, you can’t will your heart to believe He is trustworthy. Your heart wants to trust, and His heart longs for yours to be able to trust Him. Bring your concerns to Him, and allow Him to respond to the beliefs rooted deep within you. Only He can resolve the pain and beliefs hindering your heart from trusting Him.

Conclusion

While the leap may feel daunting, you can find strength in knowing that God is with you, as are your fellow believers. Embracing this journey together allows you to share your struggles and victories. This reminder reinforces that you are part of something greater.

As you stand at the edge of your own cliffs, remember that faith and trust are communal experiences. Share your doubts and triumphs, and let the Holy Spirit and your community encourage you. Trust that God’s plans for you are good, even when the path seems uncertain. With each step and leap, you experience more of His faithfulness and your own capacity to grow in Him.

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ACTIVATION

Here are some journaling prompts for reflection to help you process your thoughts on faith and trust:

1. What does faith mean to you? Reflect on a time when you had to rely on faith. What did you learn from that experience?

   
   

2. How has God shown His trustworthiness in your life? Write about specific instances where you felt God’s presence or guidance.

   
   

3. What is one area of your life where you feel challenged to trust God? Explore your feelings about this area and consider how you can take a step of faith.

   
   

4. Who is someone you can reach out to for support on your faith journey? Write about how to initiate that conversation and what you hope to share or learn from them.