Standing Strong: Overcoming Adversity & Living ConfidentlySample

### Step Out From Hiding Sometimes a single moment can change your life forever. I experienced a moment like this a few years ago. I was perfectly content in my life, my calling, and my career. But God had another plan for me. Seemingly out of nowhere, I felt that God was speaking to me about a life-altering change he wanted me to make. Assuming I’d heard him wrong, I told a couple of close friends about the crazy plans God had whispered to me. I imagined them saying, “ Alli, you’re crazy! Your life is good. You’re making an impact for the kingdom. Why change anything? ” But instead, they confirmed what I feared. God was interrupting my lovely little life and asking me to take a big, scary leap of faith. I had a million unanswered questions for God, but I didn’t receive any answers. All I knew for certain was that to stay where I was would be to stay where I was not supposed to be. God was calling to me, “Where are you? Will you step out from hiding and come follow me?” There’s a woman in the Bible that God asked this same question: Eve. After she and Adam ate the forbidden fruit that brought sin into the world, they, for the first time, hid from God. Of course, he knew where they were, but he asked anyway, “Where are you?” It wasn’t a rhetorical question. He expected an answer, not for his benefit but for theirs. God’s first question for humankind is one he still loves to ask us today. He asks us this question because sometimes we need a wake-up call. Where are you? Where are you in life? Where are you with your relationships? Where are you with your dreams? Where are you? When God called me to change the path of my life, I realized I had a choice to make. Was I going to respond to God and step out in faith into the unknown, or was I going to ignore him and stay in a place of hiding? I was standing on the edge of an unknown future, and I had to find the courage to take the next step. Are you in a season like I was, where God is nudging you to take big, bold steps of faith in a new direction? Or maybe you’re frozen in fear, unable to move forward. God keeps whispering to you and you keep hesitating to respond. You’re overwhelmed by the unknown, waiting on who knows what to grant you permission to move forward. Let me tell you, sister, I’ve been in your shoes and God does his best work in the mystery. In our weakness, in our lack of ability, and in our mess he does amazing work by using us in such a way that he is the only explanation. What would life look like if the next time you hear God asking you, “Where are you?” you stepped out from hiding and answered, “Here I am, Lord, and I’m ready for whatever you have next!” Action Step: The first step of obedience is to respond, “Here I am, Lord.” List the worries and doubts that are keeping you from stepping out. As you list each one, place it before God in prayer and tell him, “Here I am, Lord!” Prayer: Lord, here are all of the fears that have kept me in hiding. I’m surrendering them to you and I’m ready to respond in obedience to your call. Fill me with courage. Help me hear your voice. I’m ready to follow you wherever you lead! Amen.