Trusting God When Unsure How to Step Forward in Uncertain Seasons of Life
How many of you have ever felt that nudge to move forward, but the path looked foggy at best? Can I tell you something? You are not alone. I have spent so many seasons lately learning what trusting God when unsure really looks like, and let me say, it does not always feel comfortable. It doesn't always look clear. But that’s the beauty of faith.
Let me tell you about this past year. I listened back to our podcast episodes, the ones you showed up for, and noticed a steady theme. Story after story, voice after voice, I kept hearing women share moments where trusting God when unsure was not just an idea—it was the only way forward. And as I reflect on these conversations, it keeps coming up in my own life, too. Maybe it’s something you feel right now as well.
What Does Trusting God When Unsure Actually Look Like?
Here’s the thing. So often, people talk about faith like it’s this big moment of clarity, with all the answers lining up just so. But what I see (in stories, in Scripture, in our community) is that trusting God when unsure is usually about small steps. Not giant leaps. Just small, quiet yeses. One foot in front of the other. Even when our feelings are screaming that we need more information.
I won’t pretend this is easy. There have been mornings where I woke up asking, "God, how do I move forward when I feel lost?" And sometimes the answer is not a lightning bolt or a clear map. Sometimes it’s just a gentle reminder that He is with us. That’s been a steady refrain in my own story and our podcast community:
- Saying yes to serving, even when I felt underprepared
- Letting go of control in my parenting when I wanted to hold tighter
- Starting projects (like this podcast) when it felt a little crazy
If you recognize that pattern, you belong here. We are all learning how to trust God when unsure how it’s going to look.
Why Does God Ask Us to Trust When the Path Feels Unclear?
Can I ask you? Have you ever noticed that so much of the Bible is made up of stories where people stepped out without seeing what would happen next? Abraham, Moses, Esther, Ruth, even the disciples who literally left their fishing nets at Jesus’ invitation. They didn’t get a full picture. They got just enough to step forward once, then again, then again.
I remember one Scripture I return to over and over when I am practicing trusting God when unsure of the outcome. It’s Proverbs 3:5-6 (CSB): “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.” God doesn’t say "I’ll show you every turn before you move." He just asks us to trust Him right where we are.
Steps Toward Trusting God When Unsure
When the next step feels unclear, what do we actually do? Here’s a few things I’ve learned (and keep learning). These are things we’ve heard echoed in our community, and time after time, they bring peace:
- Start with worship, not problem-solving
- Look for God’s presence in small moments, not just the big ones
- Practice listening for His voice through prayer and Scripture, even when answers are slow
- Connect with others who will remind you of His faithfulness
- Take small obedient steps, not waiting for the whole plan to appear
Some days the trust feels strong. Other days, my prayers sound shaky. That’s okay. God honors both.
Honest Moments from Our Community
Can we celebrate for a minute? I love that our community shows up and shares stories, even if they’re still figuring things out. In our recent podcast episode, I remembered voices who offered their “middle of the story” perspective. No perfect endings. Just real faith. A mom learning to surrender her schedule. A woman facing a career shift but saying, “I’ll take the next small step.” Someone grieving, but still able to say, “God, I trust you with my next breath.”
This is the heartbeat I hope we never lose. Every single story matters. Every single act of trusting God when unsure counts. Not just for you, but for everyone coming after you who will hear that story and find hope in it. One listener said she didn't feel ready to share because she wasn't sure of her ending. My answer? That’s the best time to speak. We don’t have to wait for all the answers before our story matters.
Questions to Help You Notice Where God Is Moving
If you want to start recognizing where you are practicing trusting God when unsure, here are some prompts. I use these in my quiet time and with guests:
- What is God teaching me in this season?
- How is my response to uncertainty different than before?
- Where am I being invited to step out, even if just a little?
- Is there a place I’m holding back because it feels unclear?
- How has God already proven faithful in small ways?
Try sitting with one of these questions. Write out what comes to mind, or share it with a trusted friend. Sometimes naming where we are helps us see how God is moving in the middle of uncertainty.
Learning to See God in Everyday Details
Let me tell you, trusting God when unsure is not about ignoring the everyday details. In fact, it can be the little details that point us back to Him the most. We have talked on the podcast about fun facts and unexpected moments. They make me smile. (If you know, you know: our bus bathroom/coffee bar story always gets a laugh.)
But here’s what I notice. God delights in those details. He uses ordinary moments to remind us that He is close. When we pay attention to little blessings, answered prayers, or even silly quirks, it’s like a breadcrumb trail leading us back to trust. I wonder – what little thing has God used to remind you He sees you lately?
How to Practice Trust Every Day
Want a few practical ways to nurture your trust muscle?
- Write down three "God sightings" at the end of each day (moments where He showed up, big or small)
- Ask a friend to pray with you about your next unclear step
- Spend five minutes in worship before checking your to-do list
- Leave your phone in another room while you listen for His direction
- Share a faith story with someone who needs a little hope
These aren’t rules to follow. Just ways I notice my heart shifting when things feel shaky. The more we practice trusting God when unsure, the more we recognize His steady hand.
What If You Feel Too Uncertain to Move?
Let’s be honest. Not every season will feel momentum-filled. Sometimes there’s a pause. Sometimes there’s a wait. And that can feel uncomfortable, even for the most faith-filled among us. But friend, if your only step today is to breathe and pray, that counts. Trust is not measured by your activity. It is measured by your willingness to keep inviting God into your day, even when the road isn’t clear. I think some of the greatest displays of faith happen when we stay faithful where we are planted, even if the next move feels far away.
I love what one guest shared about trusting God not just in suffering, but sometimes even in blessing, too. Sometimes what you have prayed for comes with new uncertainty or responsibility you didn’t expect. But guess what? God is still present. And His presence is enough to give us peace, even when clarity is missing. I’ve seen this in my story, too. He meets us in the “not yet.”
Biblical Truth: Peace in Uncertainty
Peace is not always the result of having answers. Sometimes, peace is the presence of God in your foggy morning. Philippians 4:6-7 (CSB) says, “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Trusting God when unsure is surrendering the need to know in exchange for the comfort of His nearness. That is what we keep holding on to.
Small Faithfulness Matters More Than You Think
As we step into new seasons, I notice that the tiniest yes can sometimes turn into the most beautiful testimony. Our community has been built on small-step faith. Starting a podcast with no experience. Saying yes to God before seeing the fruit. Telling a messy, unfinished story because you know it will help someone else.
If you ever doubt if your small faithfulness matters, let me tell you – it does. It is enough. God multiplies even the smallest step. He multiplies obedience and time. He honors what others might overlook. Trusting God when unsure is the real practice of faith, and it’s the place where His grace shows up most obviously.
Just look at our stories in the past season. Each one started with someone saying yes, even without clarity. And now those stories ripple out, touching lives all over the world. Over 17 countries and over 1500 listens. All from people willing to trust God when unsure about what the next page held.
Practical Questions to Help You Step Forward When the Way Isn’t Clear
Try Asking Yourself
- What small yes can I give today?
- What is one area of my life where I need to surrender control?
- Who can I invite into my process for encouragement and prayer?
- How is God already speaking in the ordinary moments?
- When have I seen God use past uncertainty for growth?
Write them down, pray through them, or bring them to community. Sometimes a single question is the nudge we need.
You Don’t Need All the Answers Before You Step
If you hear nothing else, take this away: Your faith story is already valuable, even if it is unfinished. We don’t have to feel chosen to be called. We don’t have to have every answer to trust God when unsure how it will work out. If your voice shakes, speak. If your hands tremble, serve. If your next step feels tiny, take it.
This is what I’m praying for our whole community as we move into this new season: that we would be women (and men!) who practice trusting God when unsure, knowing that He will be faithful in the middle and at the end. If you ever want to share your story or just need someone to name what God is already doing, I would love to talk with you. Head over to previous episodes for more encouragement (like the story on hearing God’s voice or learning to rest) or check the blog for real-life conversations about practicing faith in new ways. Our most recent episode is a great place to start if you need fresh hope.
Final Encouragement (and a Little Invitation)
Let’s not wait until everything feels certain before we trust. Let’s lean in together, pay attention to His movement, and remember: God delights in every step you take, even the hesitant ones. You are not walking this alone. As you practice trusting God when unsure, know that you are part of a bigger story. Our faithfulness changes more than just us. It shapes our homes, our friendships, our communities. It lets others know that faith is not about having it all figured out, but about being willing, being present, and letting God work through every yes you offer.
If this encouraged you, make sure to listen to the full podcast episode. That’s where our real stories meet, and where you’ll find practical ways to step into faith right now—messy middle, unclear path, and all. Let’s keep putting our perspectives into practice, one small step at a time.
