Carrie Baker – The Growth Collective

“If you’re too afraid of stepping outside God’s will, then you might not step into it.”

– Carrie Baker

Recently, as I was having a rare midweek brunch with my husband, we were chatting when this little gem of a sentence dropped into my mind. It made me come to a stop as soon as I said it out loud, then I frantically grabbed my phone to note it down before I forgot.

The words arrived fully formed, instantly speaking to my heart, and so for this quote, God needs to take full credit.

 It spoke to something I have battled with for YEARS. The fear that if I somehow wandered out of God’s will for my life, it would lay waste to time, energy and effort. To me I thought that somewhere I’d have to start all over again.

As I say this outloud to you – it sounds a little crazy right?

But these fears lay hidden in the back of our subconscious for years, until we’re ready to bring them out into the daylight and confront them.

Let me ask you this:

Have you ever found yourself paralysed by the fear of missing God’s will for your life? 

I think most of us have been there at some point. We worry about getting it wrong and stepping outside the lines which will either derail the actual plan or waste a lot of time. (Maybe that’s just me?) 

But here’s the thing—this very fear of not being in His will, can stop us from stepping into the amazing dreams God has placed in our hearts. 

So, let’s talk about how we can overcome this fear, trust in God’s guidance, and confidently step into the path He has for us.

1. Trusting God’s Guidance Over Our Doubts

It’s easy to doubt the dreams in our hearts, wondering if they’re really from God or just our own wishful mind coming up with its own big plans. But when we walk closely with Him, our desires often align with His will. Because how can it not when we dwell with Him?

Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

This means that when we focus on God, our desires become reflections of His will for us.

Time to Listen: Spend some quiet time in prayer and reflection. Ask God to reveal His desires for your life and trust that He’s aligning your heart with His purpose.

2. Overcoming the Fear of Getting It Wrong

Let’s face it—making mistakes is scary. We worry that one wrong step could somehow ruin God’s plan for us. 

But Proverbs 3:5-6 reassures us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” 

Even when we don’t see the whole picture, God’s wisdom can guide our steps. 

Reflect: Think back to times when God has guided you despite your fears, and even your mistakes. We can sometimes believe we have far more power over the grand scheme of things, than we really do.

Psalms 24:1a says this: ‘The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.’ Remember that our great God is in control, and have confidence in His faithfulness.

3. Embracing God’s Sovereignty

Sometimes, the fear of not being in God’s will can hold us back from taking any action at all. But remember this great promise, that God can turn everything around for our good.

Romans 8:28 tells us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Even if we make mistakes, God is sovereign and can weave those experiences into His greater plan.

Pause: Meditate on Romans 8:28 and how you’ve seen God bring good out of tough situations in your life, and that no season of your life is ever wasted. Let this encourage you to trust in His sovereignty.

4. Pursuing God Wholeheartedly

If our greatest desire is to love, serve, and please God, we can be confident that we are never far from His will.

Psalm 37:23 says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.” When we sincerely pursue God, He takes joy in guiding us in every step.

Create Space: Make it a habit to set aside dedicated time each day to focus on your relationship with God. Whether through prayer, worship, or reading the Bible, let this time deepen your commitment to following Him.

Conclusion:

It’s natural to fear stepping outside God’s will, but that fear shouldn’t paralyse us, because living in fear is the opposite of walking by faith. When we walk closely with God, our desires align with His, and He guides our steps even when we’re unsure. 

Trust in His ability to turn everything around for our good. Remember, if your greatest pursuit is to love, serve, and please God, you are already on the right path. And if you ever stray, He can always course-correct and weave your experiences into the beautiful tapestry of your life.

Take Action: If this resonates with you, take a moment to hand over your fears to God. Write down the dreams He has placed in your heart and commit them to Him in prayer. Trust that as you delight in the Lord, He will guide your steps and fulfil His purpose in your life.

Bible Verses for Reflection:

• Psalm 37:4
• Psalm 37:23
• Proverbs 3:5-6
• Romans 8:28

May you find peace and confidence in walking the path God has laid out for you. Embrace the dreams He has given you, trust in His guidance, and step boldly into His will.

My passion in life, is to take others along with me on my GROWTH journey, if you want to join me, go and sign up so you don’t miss out on the next blog post!

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Carrie x

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