One Step at a Time

My family is in the middle of a huge transition. God is taking us from one season to a drastically different season. And although He spoke this season over us–He told us what was coming– we are quite overwhelmed. It feels like the rug has been pulled out from under us. It feels like we are being tossed with the wind. And, I’ve found myself questioning whether I can get through this.

How will I do this, God?

All of these questions run through my mind. What steps will I need to take? Do I need to be more prepared? Or should I just step out in faith? The other day I expressed my concerns to a friend of mine, and she gently reminded me of what I once told her…

“Take it one step at a time.”

I realized that I wasn’t just stressed and anxious because of my current situation. I was stressed and anxious because I was thinking too far into the future. I was trying to plan my own way, instead of allowing the Lord to determine my steps.

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. ‭‭(Proverbs‬ ‭16:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

In the book of Numbers we read about the Israelites as they journey in the wilderness between Egypt and the promised land. And in this transition phase of their journey, we see the perfect example of what it means for the Lord to determine one’s steps.

This was the regular pattern—at night the cloud that covered the Tabernacle had the appearance of fire. Whenever the cloud lifted from over the sacred tent, the people of Israel would break camp and follow it. And wherever the cloud settled, the people of Israel would set up camp. In this way, they traveled and camped at the Lord’s command wherever he told them to go. Then they remained in their camp as long as the cloud stayed over the Tabernacle. (‭‭Numbers‬ ‭9:16‭-‬18‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on. So they camped or traveled at the Lord’s command, and they did whatever the Lord told them through Moses. (‭‭Numbers‬ ‭9:22‭-‬23‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

The Israelites had no choice but to take their journey one step at a time. This is what God wanted for them..and I believe that this is what He wants for you and me.

For we walk by faith, not by sight. ( ‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭5:7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

When God leads us one step at a time, He is trying to teach us how to walk in faith. He wants us to rely on his direction…His voice…instead of what our eyes can see.

Why?

Because our eyes don’t have the ability to see the full picture. Yes, we might be able to see what is right in front of us…in the natural realm, but we are totally unaware of what’s happening in the spiritual realm. We can’t see His provision. We can’t see His protection. We can’t see the miracles that He has planned right around the corner.

Fear comes when we rely on what our eyes can see.

I can say for certain that this has always been the case in my life…but don’t take my word for it. We can see evidence of this as we read about the Israelites journey as well.

There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron. “If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.” (‭‭Exodus‬ ‭16:2‭-‬3‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

At the Lord’s command, the whole community of Israel left the wilderness of Sin and moved from place to place. Eventually they camped at Rephidim, but there was no water there for the people to drink. So once more the people complained against Moses. “Give us water to drink!” they demanded. “Quiet!” Moses replied. “Why are you complaining against me? And why are you testing the Lord?” (‭‭Exodus‬ ‭17:1‭-‬2‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

They looked around, and all they could see was that they had nothing to survive. No food. No water…

And when they relied on these observations, they became afraid…so afraid that they forgot the character of their God.

Just think about it…

Why would the mighty God that brought them out of Egypt leave them to die of thirst and starvation in the wilderness?

…But, that was the only conclusion they could come to based on what their eyes could see.

Through their sight, they couldn’t see how their God planned to rain down manna and quail from heaven. Through their sight, they couldn’t see how He planned to provide them water from a rock.

Their fear caused them to lose faith in God.

We can’t walk by faith when we focus on our circumstances.

Yes, our circumstances are real. Yes, they may be difficult to endure. But at the end of the day, what will we focus on? What will we magnify?

Our circumstances? Or our God?

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:1‭-‬3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

We are able to walk by faith when we magnify God in our lives.

When we worship Him– keeping our thoughts on His greatness– we lift Him above all of our problems. He becomes greater and greater, and our problems become smaller and smaller…

In this season of my life, I am reminding myself of how great my God is. He is the God that healed me of depression and anxiety. He is the God that healed my marriage. He is the God that gave me purpose. Why would He do all of that to leave me now?

God has planned for this moment.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

I may feel overwhelmed. I may feel uneasy. But at the end of the day, God planned for me to be right here right now…and He has planned this season for you…

Now…take a moment to rehearse your history with God.

Where did your journey with Him begin? Did He rescue you from a past circumstance? Has He healed you physically, emotionally, or mentally? Has He transformed your life in a way or has He given you purpose?

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. ‭‭(Hebrews‬ ‭13:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

The God that healed you will continue to heal you. The God that rescued you will continue to rescue you. The God that led you back then will continue to lead you toward the plans that He has for you. He will provide. He will protect. Don’t worry about the things that He’s already planned and prepared for. Take it one step at a time. Allow Him to take care of you each step at a time.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me, thank you for protecting me, and thank you for leading me to this place that you have prepared for me. Today, I have been reminded that my focus matters. It matters when I choose you over my circumstances. It matters when I choose faith over fear. So today, I am making the decision to choose you. I am making the decision to choose faith. I declare that I will do everything I can to look to you on this journey, Father. I will be intentional as I listen for your voice. I will be consistent in obedience. And I will allow you to direct me one step at a time. I believe that you are for me. I believe that you are with me. And I believe that you will continue to take care of me…because you always have. I love you, Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.