My slow pace on a prayer walk was an obvious pause. It wasn’t a leisurely choice. It was a hesitant one. My next steps, from parenting to a possible career pivot, felt scary. But the warmth of the sun streaming through the trees brought serenity my way. Yet even while basking in the warmth, I was still unsettled. Thoughts of “what if” or “remember that” ran through my mind.

If you want to trust God in a new way or in a new season, your steps may slow down a bit too. Sometimes, wisdom requires us to wait. But other times, the slower steps are our soul’s hesitation.

Our unfamiliar or unsettling situations always come with the invitation to trust God more. At best, we sense His faithfulness and love. We learn to lean into the grace feeding our growth. But when it’s hard for me to accept what I can’t control, anxiety grips me.

It kept my feet from moving on my prayer walk that day. The scurry of animals through the leaves revealed the struggle of my hesitant human heart. Surely, these creatures were doing what they were made to do. Why couldn’t I? But my question was met by the movement of the gentle breeze around me. I knew help was present.

When Jesus prepared His disciples for His death and resurrection, He gave them a promise. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26 ESV‬).

Christ’s followers today can still cling to this truth. With the lesson from the wind inspiring me, I took a few more steps. Anxiety’s grip loosened the more I gripped God’s grace. More of what Jesus said came to my mind: ‭“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27 ESV‬).

Every troubled heart is in need of hearing and believing the words of Jesus. The peace He gives is not a passive perspective.  It’s a powerful calm. It drenches the heart with this undeniable truth; He is worthy of our trust.

Whatever is on your heart today, here are 5 scriptural affirmations for your faith hesitations.

When we hesitate to believe we can be forgiven...

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9)

‭When we hesitate to follow God because we’re afraid…

“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.” (Psalms 37:5‬)

When we hesitate to make a decision...

“The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.'”(Psalm 32:8)

When we hesitate to believe God is working in a situation...

“But Jesus replied, ‘My Father is always working, and so am I.‘” (John 5:17)

When we hesitate to know we are loved...

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

Which verse prompts you toward victory? As we hold onto God’s Word, we can learn to hold nothing back when it comes to trusting Him.

Try praying these scriptures over your life. From our fears to our failures, we can release every concern to God’s care. We can appeal to His heart with every one of our hopes and dreams. Then leave it all there. Watch Him work in you. Sense His work through you and around you to accomplish His plan. I continue to learn the next step God is asking me to take is based on what Jesus has already done.

Unless otherwise stated, all Scriptural references are in the New Living Translation (NLT).