Have you ever felt like God was speaking to you to do something, that would require your obedience, and faith? How did you feel? Did you struggle to go for it? Did it seem like what God was asking made little to know sense to you?
How many times has fear enter in and kept you from doing something? All of a sudden those “What if” thoughts flood in, your mind comes to a standstill. And then your body will not move.
Yet how many times have we heard God’s voice, we know it’s Him, yet we shrink back in the fear of what ifs? Your mind says you want to, or you should, but your body doesn’t cooperate. It happens to all of us, especially when we’re called to do something by faith. You feel the nudge to tell someone God loves them or to share your faith, but nothing cooperates, and they walk away.
When hearing God voice, you have to be willing to take one step of faith at a time, in the face of fear.
Remember, God is right there to carry you through the process. He’s always given me a clear vision without all the details.
Guess what? Stepping out in faith requires that you trust God at all costs, no matter what. It sounds easy, but it means leaving your comfort zone and facing our deepest fears.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
What is fear? Fear is false, evidence, appearing real.
In Lamentations 3:20-21 it said that we need to hold onto to our faith and onto our hope: “I will remember them, and my soul downcast within me. Yet, this I call to mind and therefore I have hope.” God calls us to sit still and sometimes He calls us to move in faith in a certain direction. This is where trust comes into play.
The Oxford English Dictionary explained that trust is “having a firm belief in the reliability, truth or ability of someone of something.”
Sometimes when we face difficult situations, we may feel that we are in bondage to our circumstances, but we must trust God and step out in faith. Obstacles may seem frightening, but the Bible says that God will honor a person who depends on Him to lead and guide.
“Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6–7, NASB).
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What Does the Bible Say About Walking Out in Faith?
The Bible says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6 KJV
For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV
God’s Word speaks very highly of those who had faith. There are many examples of men of faith in the Bible, and we can learn much by studying their stories.
The story of Jonah is known for many things, including how Jonah ran away when God called him to preach the destruction of Nineveh, the big fish that swallowed him, how he was spit up onto dry land and finally obeyed, and how Jesus referred to him as a sign.
But the reason for Jonah’s wrestling with his faith is made clear in the final chapter of the book using a plant. Jonah didn’t wrestle with his faith because what God asked him to do was hard; Jonah wanted Nineveh to be destroyed. But God had mercy on him.
Jonah wrestled with his faith because he knew God was going to be gracious and compassionate to those, he felt did not deserve it.
Has God ever called you to do something you have no ideal on what to do? Are
has he called you into unchartered territory? Have you ever felt unsure about your capabilities matching up to what God has called you to do?
Stepping out in faith and trusting God is stepping out on the word of God. Stepping out on the promises of God. It requires us to have faith and trust in God. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zones. God rarely keeps us in the same season for long because His desire is for us to grow and to depend on Him.
Bible Characters Who Stepped Out in Faith
When God called Abraham he stepped out in faith? God’s call to Abraham was costly: “The LORD said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you’” (Genesis 12:1).
Faith motivated Abraham to obey God’s call and leave the familiar to discover the territory he was destined to inherit from God. So, he left with only a promise and without even knowing ahead of time where he was going, Abraham stepped out in faith.
Choosing to chart his life by faith, Abraham stepped out on a journey that would change his life and the lives of generations that followed.
God did not change His mind about the command. He promised to bless Abraham in the new land, to make him “a great nation” and to make his name great (v 2). And Abraham obeyed, stepped out in faith, and trusted God, and he went.
If you were called to step out like Abraham, what will your feeling be?
In Matthew 14 when Jesus invited Peter to come to Him on the water. “But when he [Peter] saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me” (verse 30).
What enabled Peter to walk on the water? His faith in the Word of Jesus. What caused Peter to sink? He saw the wind boisterous, and he was afraid. It was not the wind that defeated him, it was his fear of it! He looked at his circumstances, gave in to the fear, and the result was defeat. If Peter had kept his focus on Jesus, his faith would never have wavered. All the blustering and blowing in the world couldn’t have drawn him off course.
Queen Esther made an amazing step of faith. She had a decision to make weather it was life or death. As Queen Esther approached the king in his throne room, according to the law of the empire, approaching the king uninvited (as she was doing) would earn her the death sentence unless the king showed her favor and extended the golden scepter to her (Esther 4:11).
Esther knew the consequences were, but the lives of her people demanded that she risk her own life and act.
Seeing her approach, the king extended the scepter, permitting her to come before him. Walking forward, she laid her hand on the top of the scepter (Esther 5:2).
Esther had successfully stepped out on faith and trusted God.
It can be difficult sometimes to know if God wants us to move or wait, can sometimes make us feel unsure.
We are afraid if we move one way or the other, we could end up falling out of God’s will for our lives. Is there a way to know when God wants us to step out in faith or to wait on His guidance?
I believe if God tells you to do something, he is not asking you to do it when it is easy. If you want to obey the Lord even during the challenging times, you will have to learn to step out in faith with him. As Psalms 15:1-4 states:
Related: 4 Things to Remember When You are Stepping out in Faith
How To Step Out in Faith When Hearing from God?
Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God.
Since pleasing God is essential and our number one priority, our faith when hearing from God will naturally grow when you make a decision to just step out and trust God.
We as believers need more than ever to learn how to trust in His goodness and have strong faith.
Reading, hearing, and meditating on the Word causes faith to rise in your heart like a fountain that bubbles over. But too often people are saved and baptized but then stop there—they forget to keep growing in their walk with God.
They may have been saved for fifty years but still have the faith of a newborn believer. Faith is not only what you believe, faith causes action.
Like a muscle, your faith becomes stronger when you exercise it. When Peter stepped out of the boat to walk on the waves toward Jesus, he was moved by faith. Peter’s faith certainly grew that day!
Without that first step, Peter would not have seen the greatness and faithfulness of God work through him.
A Word from God moved these men to faith:
Faith Moves Mountains
For truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says” Mark 11:23
In Mark 11:22-26, Jesus said, “whosoever,” so this is for the believer, not just for the minister or someone with some kind of special calling. You have the potential to operate in the same faith that I have. He also said, “When you stand praying, forgive.” Operating in mountain-moving faith is dependent upon operating in forgiveness. Faith pleases God, but faith works by love (Galatians 5:6).
Have you ever wondered what Jesus meant when he said speak to the mountain? Mountain-moving faith is centered around believing you receive (believing it is happening for you now!). There is more to believing you receive than just having someone lay hands on you and saying, “I believe I receive.”
In order to believe you receive, you must establish in your heart that the Word of God is true. You need a standard, something that will put you in agreement with God. The miracle you need is already inside of you because God is in you.
The Kingdom of God is in you. All you need is to find the key that will open the door and release it. The key is getting your spirit, soul, and body in agreement with the Word.
1. Faith obeys the WORD FROM GOD – “By faith Abraham, WHEN CALLED.”
a. Noah – The Bible says Noah “was warned” about the flood, so as a result by faith he built an ark.
b. Abraham – It says Abraham “was called” so as a result he left everything…
c. These men did not just come up with an idea, make a major life decision and say, “GOD I’M STEPPING OUT ON FAITH NOW BLESS IT!” Their decision was preceded by a word from God.
d. So if you don’t sense a strong leading by God Himself then stepping out on faith is not for you.
2. Faith is willing to DELAY GRATIFICATION – vs. 8 – “He would later receive…”
a. When you step out on faith you must be willing to accept the fact that what you want to receive from God may or may not happen for some time.
b. Abraham – 25 years
c. Joseph – 13 years
d. So, if you are looking for an immediate blessing, then have faith in God.
3. Faith moves FORWARD without all the FACTS – “even though he did not know where he was going.”
a. Stepping out in faith means you understand that God only gives you enough information to see right in front of you and He often times conceals the details about the journey along the way.
b. So if you’re someone who needs the facts before moving forward stepping out in faith is not for you.
4. Faith believes in the Supernatural power of God – vs. 11
a. “Faith COMMANDS you to do something you’ve CONVINCED yourself can never be done.”
b. If you can do what you believe God is calling you to do without God then it’s not faith.
c. So if you’re someone who only believes in the NATURAL then stepping out on faith is not for you. I don’t know what decisions you may have come up but I want to encourage you to pray, seek wise counsel and if you believe that God Himself is leading you then step out on faith and trust that God will lead you every step of the way.
Related: 3 Powerful Ways to Step Out in Faith When God Nudges You
What Does It Mean to Step Out in Faith?
To step out in faith is to move out of your comfort zone and dare to do things differently. It is also taking a risk for God and try out something new.
To step out in faith is also following God’s instructions although it makes no sense to your human mind (e.g., Joshua and the wall of Jericho)
For we live by faith, not by sight. 2Corinthians 5:7
How to Step Out in Faith When in Fear?
The Bible says, but without faith it is impossible to please him: for he, that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6
Are you growing in faith or controlled by fear. When we learn to live in faith and not let fear rule our lives, we can enjoy a fulfilling, peaceful and joyful life in Christ.
When stepping out in faith when in Fear?
Trust God even when you are overtaken by fear.
Fear is false evidence appearing real. The Bible says,” God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. Fear is not a part of a Christian life, faith is. For we walk by faith and not by sight.
God will provide what you need to accomplish whatever tasks He wants you to perform. Do not allow fear to hold you back? Trust Him to do so one day at a time. Since God’s provision comes after you start walking in faith, go ahead and keep taking steps of faith, expecting God to give you everything you need along the way.
Faith Stands up for What God Wants.
If you want to overcome fear that is dragging you down, you need to clearly understand the benefits of choosing to stand up for what God wants.
Most importantly, you need to see that doing what God wants you to do is a clear victory over the fear in your life.
Because fear grows. Faith Grows deeper and stronger. Every time you give in to a fear, it becomes more intense.
Fear grows every time you refuse to do what God wants you to do. Eventually, you will feel cornered.
So, what do you do?
Face fear with the word of God. Early believers faced all kinds of persecution. The book of Acts shows us a bit about how they stood up to this fear. As Peter and John proclaimed Jesus boldly in Acts 4, they came up against fierce opposition.
So, they prayed, “Lord, take notice of the threats they have made, and allow us, your servants, to speak your message with all boldness” (Acts 4:29 GNT).
The answer to your fear is not to give in to it. It is to move forward boldly despite it. You stand up to the fear. Fear does not respond to logic, so your only chance to get rid of the fear is to trust God and face the fear.
Never, ever forget this: God won’t part the water in front of you until you take your first step (see how God did this for Elijah and Elisha in 2 Kings 2:8). You take a step of faith, and then God shows you the path. That won’t happen if you stand wrapped up in your fear.
Take a step-in faith, and watch fear crumble in the process as God guides your steps.
Face Your Fears
One way to show the devil you have no intention of operating in is to face your fear. Do not accept fear in your life.
Sometimes we just have to cast out net and face our fears. Fear is not from God. As long as we stay focus and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, He will strengthen and help you.
Meditate on Scriptures to Defeat Fear.
Fear has no place in a believer’s life. Faith cannot work for you when you are in fear. Sure, it tries to sneak in at every turn—your health, your family, your safety, and possessions, but it does not belong there.
Satan will always try to get you to take the bait of fear. He will use things like bad reports, discouraging thoughts, a negative word from a co-worker or family member, and unpleasant circumstances to get you out of faith and in fear.
There is a way of escape, you can defeat fear and experience the peace of God. Fear doesn’t have to be part of your life anymore, but it’s going to take an active fight to keep it from taking hold of your thoughts. Are you ready to take a stand against fear? Are you ready to stand in faith?
Cast Your Cares on Jesus
Jesus stated “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34).
Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6.
God don’t want us (His children) to worry or have any anxieties about anything. God knows how to take care of us. We just have to let go and let God take care of us.
God’s timing is perfect. We may never know why certain things happen during our lives on earth, but we can trust that God’s plan is for our good and that He goes before us.
So many people do not recognize or guard against getting direction from the wrong things — secular culture, the media, friends, or even personal opinion. God wants to lead in His way, and if we get off track, He guides us to get back on track.
God wants to calm our fears and help us confidently trust in Him and His ability to lead us well.
The pressures and burdens of this life are difficult. When we try to carry them on our own, we will find ourselves weary. But God has a better way.
Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Cast all your cares upon Christ, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone
What are the things that you believe are worth doing but, are afraid of doing yourself because of the potential for disappointment or failure? Has God ever called you to step outside your comfort zone, you were uncertain about?
Stepping outside of your comfort zone is not easy. It is about stepping out of that place of comfort, or shall I say, that place of safety where you are comfortable.
God did not place us here to be comfortable but to live a faith-filled life of trusting Him and moving forward in Him. Wherever God is taking you, it’s going to be a stretching, sometimes a place you don’t want to go, but we have a faithful God who we can trust as we go through the stretching process.
Everyone’s comfort zone is different. Some people are comfortable taking risk, where others wouldn’t risk doing it. It’s about letting go and allow God to take control of your life.
I believe God will move you from your comfort zone and fear zone into the victory zone. As long as you are where you are safe, where God’s greatest challenge for you and I, is to hear His voice, and to step out of your comfort zone, and as soon as you do, you will confront your fear. And if you will keep moving forward, you will move out of fear zone into the faith zone.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
When we completely give our hearts over to God, He can do amazing things through us, and use us in ways immeasurable. All we have to do is listen for His voice and be willing to respond in faithfulness.
You will never know where God is taking you unless you are first willing to leave where you are. God loves you too much to leave you where you are, and it’s a beautiful life He has planned for you!
What are the things that you believe are worth doing but, are afraid of doing yourself because of the potential for disappointment or failure? Are you ready to conquer your comfort zone and live out the life God has for you? Let us get going!
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. Jeremiah 29:11-14
Bible Verses About Stepping Out in Faith
These 10 faith scriptures will build your faith and give you a strong foundation in understanding all that God has provided you by faith.
- Proverbs 3:5: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
- Ephesians 2:8: For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God….
- Galatians 3:11: Now it is evident that no person is justified (declared righteous and brought into right standing with God) through the Law, for the Scripture says, The man in right standing with God [the just, the righteous] shall live by and out of faith and he who through and by faith is declared righteous and in right standing with God shall live. Cross reference: 1. Hab. 2:4.
- Mark 11:22-24: And Jesus, replying, said to them, Have faith in God [constantly]. Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him. For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].
- 1 John 4:7-12: Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him]. He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest (displayed) where we are concerned: in that God sent His Son, the only begotten or unique [Son], into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins. Beloved, if God loved us so [very much], we also ought to love one another. No man has at any time [yet] seen God. But if we love one another, God abides (lives and remains) in us and His love (that love which is essentially His) is brought to completion (to its full maturity, runs its full course, is perfected) in us!
- 1 John 5:4: For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.
- 2 Corinthians 10:3-5: For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),
- Deuteronomy 28:2-8: And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you heed the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your body and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your beasts, the increase of your cattle and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading trough. Blessed shall you be when you come in and blessed shall you be when you go out. The Lord shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. The Lord shall command the blessing upon you in your storehouse and in all that you undertake. And He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God gives you.
- Ephesians 3:20-21: Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]—To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).
- Ephesians 4:29: Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it.
Prayer to Step Out in Faith.
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. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Staying in faith is the key to achieving every desire of your heart—even the most secret ones. God has great plans and purposes for your life, and He desires that you achieve every one of them! His promises are not just there as something to wish or hope for—they belong to you.
Father, in the Name of Jesus, I thank You that Your plans for me are far greater than I could ever imagine. Thank You that You have a purpose for me that includes the manifestation of the desires of my heart and even blessings that I have never dreamed of.
Father, I know that to receive all You have for me, I must stay in alignment with Your will and Your Word. I know that if something is missing in my life, I’m not waiting on You; You are waiting on me. I repent for the areas where I’ve missed it, God. I ask You to forgive me and help me get back on my way to victory in You.
Lord, I ask You to reveal to me areas where I have not been walking in love—places where I have pent-up hurt, rejection, bitterness, or anger. Help me to forgive and be healed emotionally and help me let go completely to give You room to do Your work in me. Help me to humble myself and ask forgiveness of those who I have treated poorly, spoken to more harshly than I should have, or neglected in any way.
I desire to obey Your Word and live a life filled with love for You and others. I commit to You today that I am going to begin each day in faith—believing for good things, looking at life through the lens of faith, and seeking Your will in everything I say and do. Thank You for Your blessings and Your love for me, and for guiding me into all truth. In Jesus’ Name. Amen
Free Printable Bible Reading Plan
Are you ready to dive into scripture and are serious about spending more time reading the Bible but not sure how to get started? Printable Bible Reading Plan are a great way to dive into Scripture in a more intentional way so you can get the most out of the time you spend reading the verses.
I pray that this is a place where you can gain encouragement in your prayer life and in your relationship with God! Here you will find a free printable, “Step Out in Faith and Trust God” that you can download by clicking on the highlighted links.
You are welcome to use this printable for personal use or in small group Bible studies.
Have a wonderful day! Enjoy!
