Walking by faith sounds simple. Living it can be hard.
God often asks us to take steps we’re not sure we can make. Fear talks loud, doubts creep in, and yet, God has made a way for us to move forward with courage. Walking by faith is about trusting God in the middle of the unknown. Hebrews 11 and 12 aren’t just stories from the past—these chapters show us how ordinary people stepped forward and how God met them every step of the way. Take a few minutes to read them right now: Hebrews 11 and 12.
You can discover more on this topic in chapter nine of the Forge discipleship resource Multiplying Movements.
What Does Walking by Faith Mean? Hebrews 11–12 in Real Life
Walking by faith means trusting God’s calling more than your comfort. It means expecting God’s provision where you cannot see it yet. It’s what turns small yeses into life-changing steps. The Bible speaks to this in Hebrews 11, often called the Faith Chapter, which highlights ordinary people who took bold steps because they trusted God’s promises, even when it was hard.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
A great example of faith in Hebrews 11 is Abraham: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” Hebrews 11:8 (ESV)
Hebrews 12 then encourages us to persevere, showing how to keep moving forward when fear, doubt, or exhaustion try to slow us down.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
Faith starts with a yes. When you say it, God shows up—clarifying your next step, providing exactly what you need, and proving that taking a risk with Him is always worth it.
Signs You’re on God’s Path
How do you know if something is God’s calling and not just a good idea?
Scripture gives us patterns. Here are three common markers.
- Recurring promptings
Pay attention when a thought or nudge keeps coming back. God often speaks in repetition, drawing you toward what He wants. Don’t ignore it. Listen carefully and respond like Samuel—maybe even with words like his: “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10, NIV). - Scripture alignment
Check everything against God’s Word. A true calling will never pull you away from Scripture or require you to compromise God’s truth. If it aligns with His character and commands, that’s a good sign you’re on the right track. - Godly confirmation
Talk with mature, trusted believers. They can help you discern whether what you’re sensing is truly from God. Look for honest guidance, not just flattery.
Walking by faith begins right here. Listen. Test. Confirm. Then act.
Saying Yes When You Feel Unqualified
When I was still in school, I sensed God’s calling to invite classmates to read Scripture with me. No training. No plan. Just a persistent tug.
“When and where?” they asked.
“My house,” I blurted out.
We sat on the carpet because we didn’t have enough chairs, opened the Bible, and God’s provision met us with hunger and courage. Walking by faith in that situation looked like one small yes, one small room, and one big God.
The Internal Battle: Fear vs. Faith
Stepping out in faith rarely feels easy. Fear tends to rise up first, whispering doubts: You’ve never done this. You don’t have the resources. You’re not qualified. Then come the questions from the outside world: How will you manage this? What if you fail? What will others think? It can feel like a flood of “what-ifs,” all trying to stop you before you even begin.
This is where Hebrews 11 anchors us: “And without faith it is impossible to please [God], for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
Walking by faith means you treat God’s promise as more real than your fear. It means you refuse to let fear be your leader. God’s calling leads. God’s provision follows.
A True Story of Five Dollars and a Thousand Hills
When I was 29, I boarded a plane for five weeks of speaking with no safety net. I opened my wallet on the tray table. Five dollars. I prayed honestly, “Lord, I don’t know how this works.” I looked out the window at a field full of cows and God brought to my mind Psalm 50:10 (NLT): “I own the cattle on a thousand hills.” I pushed back with a smile and a sigh as I prayed, “Yes, but they’re in the field, not in my wallet.”
In Pittsburgh, I broke my last five dollars on fries and water, trusting that God would provide. Two days later, a few students handed me an envelope with a note about new faith in Jesus—and inside was a five-dollar bill. My money had doubled. A few days after that, another envelope arrived. Another five dollars. Now, it had tripled!
On week five, while I was in Michigan, a couple drove by in a small Cadillac. The wife blurted, “Do you need money? My husband felt God told him you did. We took the day off, got lost twice, argued, but we had to find you.” The husband wept as he handed me an envelope with five $100 bills. God’s provision didn’t show up early. It showed up right on time. That’s walking by faith.
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.” Hebrews 12:28 (ESV)
Walking by Faith When Fear Re-enters
Don’t be surprised if fear shows up again as you step out in faith. Fear calculates. It demands guarantees. Romans 4 shows Abraham facing the facts: his body was as good as dead, and Sarah’s womb was barren. Still, he did not waver. He trusted God’s promise that he would have descendants—children through whom God would bless the nations.
That is what walking by faith looks like. That is the rhythm of Hebrews 11. When logic screams “impossible,” you remember this is not a math problem—it’s a promise problem. God’s calling is upheld by God’s provision.
At the Red Sea, Israel wanted to return to Egypt. That’s the reflex of fear. Compromise shrinks God’s plan to our size. Walking by faith refuses to downsize the mission. Fear can be present, but it cannot lead. “Fear not, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10, ESV). You are not on a fear walk. You are on a faith walk.
Hebrews 12: How to Endure When You’re Tired
Walking by faith requires endurance. As Hebrews 12 reminds us, we are called to “run with perseverance… fixing our eyes on Jesus” (NIV). He endured the cross for the joy set before Him. He understands our pain and pressure. Keep your focus on Him so you do not lose heart.
Four Anchors for Perseverance
- Remember who God is – Creator and Sustainer. Nothing is too hard for Him.
- Remember His faithfulness to others – Read Hebrews 11. Read biographies. God is the same today. “Consider [Jesus] who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” Hebrews 12:3 (ESV)
- Remember the Scriptures – Let truth wash off fear’s lies. Hold onto His promises.
- Remember your earlier days – Write down God’s past faithfulness. When fear is shouting at you, remember His faithfulness to you and let it anchor you.
The Logging Camp Story
Walking by faith sometimes looks like “nothing happened.” Stephen Grillet felt God’s calling to preach at a logging camp. When he arrived, the camp was empty. He decided to preach anyway, to an empty room. A cook outside heard every word, bought a Bible, started teaching, and over a thousand loggers came to Christ. Three became missionaries. Twenty years later, on the London Bridge, he found Stephen and told him the story. Obedience is never wasted.
Practical Ways to Start Walking by Faith This Week
- Name the call: Write down one thing you sense God asking you to do.
- Take a small step: Send the invite, make the call, give the gift, start the study.
- Build a truth list: Start with two verses for this season. Repeat them daily. Add more as you step into new seasons.
- Ask for agreement: Share your step with one mature believer who will pray and confirm.
- Celebrate provision: Keep a visible list of how God’s provision shows up.
A Simple Prayer for Courage
Lord, I fix my eyes on You. I say yes to Your calling. I choose walking by faith over walking by fear. I trust Your provision for every step. Strengthen me to run my race with perseverance. Amen.
Final Word: Keep Saying Yes
You are God’s Plan A where He has placed you. Hebrews 11–12 is your map. Walking by faith is not reckless; it is responsive. God’s calling leads. God’s provision meets you on the road. Keep saying yes. Keep moving forward. That is how ordinary people live extraordinary stories with God.
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