woman in the unknown

Answering God’s Call: Trusting Him in the Unknown

January 12, 20254 min read

The Final Countdown

I glanced at my watch—15 minutes before the house listing went live. Dad was inside, making a final tweak, while I finished power washing the brick front walk. For the past 18 months, this project had consumed us, and now we were at the finish line.

Completing a project of this scale stirs up a whirlwind of emotions. On one hand, I’m thrilled to see the transformation and marvel at the before and after. On the other hand, an unsettling question lingers: What do I do now?


When God Nudges

In those “What do I do now?” moments, I’ve often been unsure of my next steps. But sometimes, God speaks in His still small voice, nudging me toward the next chapter.

Renovating houses is hard work—physically and mentally exhausting—yet incredibly rewarding. I love seeing progress, growth, and restoration. The path God was calling me toward promised similar rewards but felt much scarier.

Like so many of God’s callings, it pushed me out of my comfort zone, made me feel unqualified, and required complete trust. Despite my doubts, God’s persistent nudges finally broke through.


Embracing the Unknown

I didn’t know what I didn’t know. God called me to write, but I kept asking:

  • What am I supposed to write?

  • Who am I writing for?

  • What do I even have to say?

Doubt loomed large, but every time fear tried to take root, God reminded me: “If I called you to it, I will walk with you through it.” This truth became my anchor as I stepped into the unknown. Trusting God in uncertainty became my daily practice.

person standing inside sewer tunnel

Photo by Warren on Unsplash


Trusting God’s Call

Every time God calls me to something, it seems to be outside my comfort zone—completely out of my wheelhouse. It’s a sure sign it’s Him when it’s not something I would have chosen for myself. It forces me to trust Him entirely.

This trust resonates in Luke 10:1-11, where Jesus sends 70 disciples ahead of Him. They went in pairs, tasked with healing the sick and proclaiming the kingdom of God. His instructions carried a powerful message:

“Now, off you go! I am sending you out even though you feel as vulnerable as lambs going into a pack of wolves. You won’t need to take anything with you—trust in God alone. And don’t get distracted from my purpose by anyone you might meet along the way.” (Luke 10:3-4 TPT)


Lessons from Luke 10

This passage feels like a mantra for anyone stepping into the unknown:

  1. Off you go! Stop waiting for endless confirmations. When God calls, act.

  2. I’m sending you. Don’t doubt your worth or abilities. If God chose you, He’ll equip you.

  3. I know you feel vulnerable. Jesus understands our fears and validates them. He’s not dismissive but compassionate.

  4. You won’t need anything else. Trust God to provide what you need.

  5. Trust God alone. Resist the urge to seek reassurance from others instead of trusting Him.

  6. Don’t get distracted. Distraction is one of the enemy’s most effective weapons. Stay focused on your calling.

man with backpack walking on brown field

Photo by Alexander Milo on Unsplash


Moving Forward in Faith

Friend, I can’t imagine the fear the disciples must have felt, heading into unknown towns with nothing but faith. Yet, they trusted God’s provision. Trusting God in uncertainty and overcoming doubt in faith are lessons that remain relevant today.

God is still calling us today. His calls often stretch us beyond what feels safe or comfortable. But even when we feel unqualified, even when we don’t know the details, He promises to walk with us. Walking in faith means embracing vulnerability and letting go of control.

If you’re in a season of faith reconstruction, this can be even more daunting. My prayer for you is that God’s still small voice will guide you with clarity and confidence, helping you discern His call from the noise around you. Trusting God’s provision and direction will lead you to spiritual growth.


Reflection Questions

  • What is God nudging you toward this season?

  • What is your gut reaction when God calls you to something hard?

  • How do you deal with the vulnerability that comes with stepping out of your comfort zone?


God’s call often takes us places we wouldn’t have chosen ourselves, but the rewards of trusting Him are always worth it. What step is He asking you to take today? Answering God’s call might just lead to the growth and restoration you’ve been seeking.

Kristen is a recovering fundamentalist who believes that truth, faith, and the sovereignty of God will survive deconstruction and are critical components of healthy reconstruction. She loves literary analysis and reading scripture with an analyst's eye. She lives in rural Ohio with her husband--Russ, daughter--Kate, faithful dog--Lucy, and her grandma's cat--Butters (that's a story for another day). When her parents aren't snowbirds, they join the party in their mother-in-law's suite, affectionately referred to as Cabin B.

Writing weekly on her blog and social media channels, Kristen helps survivors of church hurt, religious trauma, and spiritual abuse heal and find peace in their faith again. She balances deep dives into scripture with narratives from her own life and church experiences, always connecting with her reader and making faith, the bible, and her teaching relatable and applicable to today’s world.

Kristen Neighbarger

Kristen is a recovering fundamentalist who believes that truth, faith, and the sovereignty of God will survive deconstruction and are critical components of healthy reconstruction. She loves literary analysis and reading scripture with an analyst's eye. She lives in rural Ohio with her husband--Russ, daughter--Kate, faithful dog--Lucy, and her grandma's cat--Butters (that's a story for another day). When her parents aren't snowbirds, they join the party in their mother-in-law's suite, affectionately referred to as Cabin B. Writing weekly on her blog and social media channels, Kristen helps survivors of church hurt, religious trauma, and spiritual abuse heal and find peace in their faith again. She balances deep dives into scripture with narratives from her own life and church experiences, always connecting with her reader and making faith, the bible, and her teaching relatable and applicable to today’s world.

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