Stepping into the unknown
God's Plan and Timing are Perfect
Feeling stuck? Scared? Or uncertain? Just like how you might feel right now. Apostle Paul called it "going not knowing"(Acts 20:22, "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.") Maybe you're reading this because you have tough decisions to make, or you're worried about the future. God's plan and timing are perfect. But what do we do when God hasn't yet told us the next phase of the plan? While we are waiting, we can use our time as preparation time. When we deeply understand God's grace through the death of Jesus for our sins, our lives are changed in an instant, little by little as God works in us to make us more like Christ.
Deuteronomy 33:27 says, “the eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Therefore, you should hold the utmost confidence in knowing that there is absolutely nothing that you should ever fear to step into! Take steps forward with faith, trust that God's strength will guide and sustain them. Stop running every time a risk appears. God's strong and everlasting arms are underneath you, so give your feet some faith and step into the unknown, then you will land safely!
Have you ever experienced a time where you felt like you’d rather give up than not get your way? Sometimes we don’t want to do what God wants us to because we don’t want to lose our sense of control. But the truth is, God is still in control no matter what. God is the one who has ultimate authority. Running away from God only hurts us more, so the best thing to do is turn around and embrace his plan. Proverbs 16:9 says, "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps". We should know and never forget that because God is ultimately in control of the outcome and specifically the steps we take.
Jesus walking on the water
Taking That Step
All through the Bible, (Hebrews 11:18, "by faith Abraham,, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to recieve as an inheritance; and he went, although HE DID NOT KNOW OR TROUBLE HIS MIND ABOUT WHERE HE WAS TO GO", to Peter stepping out of a boat to walk on water (Matthew 14:29, "He said, Come! So Peter got out of the boat to WALK ON THE WATER, and he came toward Jesus". God's plan has repeatedly required walking or stepping into the unknown even when we are in troubled, scared, and uncertain about what will happen next. Philippians 4:13 says, "I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHEN ME". What He leads you to do, He will provide for you to do. He's your security. Not a paycheck. Not people you've depended on. Not your safe little nest. Not your abilities. It's like Peter, it's not the water that's going to support you, IT'S JESUS!
In 1 Samuel 15:22, “Samuel said, Has the Lord as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in OBEYING THE VOICE OF THE LORD? Behold, to OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” I reiterate, if God says “COME,” leave everybody else in the boat and GO! "Among all the people on the boat, only Peter did a crazy thing, which is getting ready to step out of the boat and walk on the water. When Jesus said ‘Come’, he went, and so should you! Yes, water is fluid and unstable, and there’s nothing beneath it holding it up, but there is something beneath you holding you up, remember, it’s YOUR FATHER’S EVERLASTING ARMS! It’s risky, but when you’re taking the risk with Jesus, there’s really no risk at all! Therefore, make sure you hear and listen to God’s voice; follow His plan; fulfill His purpose; stay in His will and do what the Lord has called you to do!
God's Promise
Maybe you're wondering why you can risk taking that step. One thing is for sure: God never promised to protect us from suffering, but did promise to be with us through it. It is His guarantee for us who have never broken a promise. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, "The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it. That's all you needed to know. God's not leaving you stranded in the middle of His will and will not abandon you. As Philippians 1:6 says, "And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST (right up to the time of His return, developing that (good work) and perfecting and BRINGING IT TO FULL COMPLETION IN YOU." Proverbs 3:5-6 also says, “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.” Even when it requires stepping outside of your comfort zone, TAKE THAT RISK and TRUST that GOD WILL SEE THE JOURNEY THROUGH WITH YOU.
You always have His word on it!
Are you overwhelmed by a burden you were never meant to carry? Have you asked God to help, or just expected yourself to figure it out? What would it feel like to be truly unburdened in Christ?
We all hit that point! Just know and never forget that you are not alone.
God Holds What You Can't Handle
There are moments when the burden you’re carrying feels like it’s crushing you, whether it’s grief, anxiety, burnout, heartache, or the weight of unspoken worries. And sometimes, even kindly words like “God won’t give you more than you can handle” only worsen it. The point where you whisper, “This is too much.” The tears are closer than your words. The responsibilities are heavier than your strength. You’re too tired of being strong, of saying “I’m fine,” and of carrying what feels impossible. You're right if you’ve ever felt like life is too heavy because it is. But here’s the good news: YOU WERE NEVER MEANT TO CARRY IT ALL ALONE. What’s too much for you is never too much for God because God holds what you can’t handle.
Culture often tells us: “You’ve got this!” “Stay strong.” “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” But none of those are biblical. In fact, God often allows more than we can handle, not to crush us, but to draw us closer to Him, so we'll learn to lean only on Him. That's the whole truth!
2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU, FOR MY POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS.” Just like Paul, he didn’t boast in strength; he boasted in weakness. Because that’s where God’s power could shine the brightest. And in Psalms 55:22 says, "Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken." There's no limit to what God can carry. He can be trusted with even the heaviest part of our lives. He wants to carry your burdens, but you have to cast them all out to Him.
The word cast in Hebrew means to throw, hurl, shed, or fling. To propel something as far as possible. To sling something out of your sight. So don't just half-heartedly set down your burdens or passively give them to God; cast them at His feet. You can trust that He will sustain you and give you the strength to stand.
WHAT IS GOD HOLDING?
EVERYTHING!
We are talking about your grief, the kind of words can't soothe; your anxiety, the racing thoughts at night; your overwhelm, the "I have nothing left" moments; your needs (financial, emotional, and spiritual); your unanswered prayers, that are still waiting; your surrender, when you let go and trust Him to carry what's too heavy for you.
Letting God hold what you can't handle is not easy, especially when you have been through really tough times, and it's often daily or from the worst experiences you've had, but it's worth it because peace doesn't come from having control. It comes from knowing the One who does!
Imagine, standing on a shoreline, holding a burden too heavy to carry. Your arms are trembling. And beside you is God, strong and steady, arms open. You don't need to drag it one more step. You just need to place it in His hands. He's not asking you to fake strength. He's inviting you to lean on Him.
A Reminder For You:
You are not failing because you are weak. You are not less faithful because you are exhausted. You are human, and your God is faithful. Always and forever!
"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him." (Nahum 1:7) Always remember that God is trustworthy and good. You can always run to Him. In the midst of every circumstance, we can trust that God will never change but will always desire what is good for us.