{Note: I got behind and overwhelmed after being sick. So, I am two days behind. I am still going to post my thoughts though and continue the 31 days. This is day 29.}
So many times when I am thinking about how my life will be changing, I think about my own comfort level and some fear rises in me and makes me not want to move forward.
Has this every happened to you?
Maybe you were waiting for a new job for you or your hubby. Then a new job is provided. However, it had a lot of changes you weren’t expecting and it made you want things to stay just the way they are.
Or maybe you had been waiting for a husband. Now the Lord has graciously brought someone into your life to fill that role. However, you are full of doubts and questions. You had finally developed a spirit contentment in your singleness. You are afraid to move forward.
I think that the Lord gives us a unsettled sense in our spirit sometimes when we are leading down a road where He doesn’t want us. In those times, our fear may be a good thing that is providing a clear sense that this is not in God’s will and to stop.
However, I also think that this fear can be driven by our sin as well. I mean, who really wasn’t their world turned upside down? Who wants change? Especially when it may be difficult and stretch us?
How do you decipher between these two situations? Here are three main ways that come straight to my mind:
Lots and lots of prayer, spending time in God’s Word, and seeking biblical counsel.
Once you can decide whether it’s God’s will, it is easier to decide whether to move forward. If you feel that you have this fear because you are straying from God’s will, do not continue. Stop. Seek His will instead.
However, if you feel that you are in God’s will and this fear is sinfully creeping up in you, fight against it! Pray continually to the Lord asking for peace and guidance.
Satan will try to cause us to stray and take us off the path that leads to the Lord. If you are waiting and afraid to move forward, the enemy may be trying to keep you from embracing a wonderful opportunity to serve the Lord and further His Kingdom.
Always remember: we are fighting a spiritual war, be on guard, and ready to fight against our enemy! Lay aside fear and continue in boldness!
Question for you:
How have you seen the Lord guide you when you were afraid to move forward?
This post is part of my 31 Days of Waiting series. Read all the posts in the series here.
Ashley! Thank you so much for posting this. It is just what I needed today. God has used you to encourage and confirm to me that I am doing the right thing my seeking to leave my current job! It’s been amazing to see how God is working in this situation and how He has provided to little emails in my inbox this morning to answer my doubts/fears!
Praise God! I am so glad!!!
Thanks for sharing that with me!
Hi Ashley.
Just found your blog. Good on you, being willing to jump in to parenting all at once. The waiting part must be soooooo hard, but I do believe God will use all the things you are learning and developing now in your parenting years ahead. I waited for a husband until I was 30 but children came quickly – a 4 and 2 year old sibling pair within our first year of marriage then a 21 month and 5 month old sibling pair 18 months later. We now have four children aged 2 to 7 and have been too busy to get concerned about not conceiving ourselves. As I learn to mother these damaged children I’ve been calling on so many of the jobs, skills, character traits and exeriences from my 12 years of being a single adult. Would be way out of my depth with this family otherwise – God definitely knew what he was doing as he led my path. Looking forward to reading more of your story, Hester.
Thank you so much for sharing your story!!! It is so wonderful to hear how God works in the lives of believers!