A common phrase that you have likely heard when met with a challenging or uncertain decision is to “just take a step of faith”.

While this at times can be encouraging, have you really thought about what it means to you?

Does taking a step of faith mean to blindly and fearfully do something that you are unsure of?

Does taking a step of faith mean that we are uncertain about the outcome? Most likely.

This phrase can mean different things to different people. However, I want to share with you what it can mean to us as followers of Jesus Christ.

Taking a step of faith does not mean that we have zero amounts of fear or anxiety when doing so. It is very likely that we have lots of anxious thoughts about whatever the decision or action pertains to. For instance, if you are offered a new job and are uncertain or considering whether it is the best choice. You may be prompted to “take a step of faith” by accepting or even denying the job offer.

Faith is defined in Hebrews 11 as, “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

So if we are taking a step of faith, does that indicate there is zero amount of fear? No. Primarily because we are human and will battle against the anxious thoughts and doubts. However, we can have confidence when taking a step of faith when our trust is in God’s plan and outcome for the decision or action. We can be assured that God is with us and that no matter what happens, if we are obedient in our step of faith, then we can have peace over fear.

A misconception of stepping out in faith that I often hear is that people treat it more like stepping out in fear. Because they use it for the moments when you are unsure and anxious but you just blindly do something.

For Christians, we have the confidence and assurance that comes from faith to counteract and help distinguish the fears. Rather than stepping out in fear, let’s step out in faith with confident assurance in our God!