When You Can’t See the Way
How to Walk by Faith and Trust God Through the Unknown
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)
Imagine standing at the edge of a winding path just before dawn. The mist is thick, and only the first few steps ahead are visible. You know the trail continues somewhere beyond the fog, but you can’t see where it leads. You hesitate, unsure, uneasy, yet something within you whispers, Keep walking.
That moment captures the essence of faith. We often find ourselves in seasons where the future feels hidden. When a job opportunity vanishes, a relationship shifts, or a prayer seems unanswered. We long for clarity, but God invites us into something more profound than certainty: trust. Walking by faith means taking the next step, even when you can’t see the whole staircase.
Life’s unknowns can feel daunting, but faith doesn’t eliminate uncertainty; it transforms how we move through it.
Faith Begins Where Our Understanding Ends
Hebrews 11:1 reminds us, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (NIV). Written to early believers facing persecution, this passage encouraged them to keep believing in God’s promises despite their suffering. They didn’t yet see the fulfillment, but they trusted the One who spoke to them.
Faith isn’t a blind leap; it’s a confident step based on who God is. When we choose to trust Him, we’re saying, “Lord, I don’t know what’s ahead, but I know You.” That simple declaration shifts our focus from fear to faith, from what’s visible to what’s eternal.
Try this: When worry creeps in, pause and say aloud, “God, I trust Your character more than my circumstances.” You’ll find that your heart begins to rest even when your mind doesn’t have all the answers.
Letting Go of Control Opens the Door to Peace
One of the hardest lessons in the Christian life is surrender. We often cling to control because we fear what might happen if we let go. Yet Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:34 (NIV) offer gentle clarity: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Spoken during the Sermon on the Mount, these words came to people burdened by the need for survival, food, clothing, and daily necessities. Jesus wasn’t dismissing their concerns; He was redirecting their trust. He wanted them to know that the same God who paints the lilies and feeds the sparrows would also care for them.
Surrender doesn’t mean apathy; it means releasing the illusion that we can control outcomes. It’s choosing peace over panic. When we hand God the reins of our plans, we make space for His wisdom to guide our steps.
Practical step: Each morning, pray a simple surrender prayer, “Lord, this day is Yours. Lead me where You will, and help me to trust You in every moment.”
Strengthening Faith Through Daily Trust
Faith grows in the soil of consistency. Like a muscle, it strengthens through use. Small, daily acts of trust, choosing prayer over worry, gratitude over fear, train our hearts to lean on God more fully.
Proverbs 3:5–6 (NASB) beautifully anchors this truth: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
This ancient wisdom from Solomon urges us not to depend on limited human reasoning but on divine direction. The phrase “make your paths straight” means God will remove obstacles or guide you through them with purpose.
When you can’t see the whole picture, remember: faith isn’t about knowing how God will work, it’s about believing that He will.
Here’s a practice to build spiritual confidence: Keep a “Faith Journal.” Write down situations where you’ve seen God come through, even in small ways. When new challenges arise, read those entries to remind yourself that the God who was faithful then is faithful now.
Choosing Faith Over Fear in the Unknown
Every great story of faith, Abraham leaving his homeland, Moses standing before the Red Sea, and Mary accepting the angel’s word, began with uncertainty. Yet each of them discovered that when God calls, He also equips.
You don’t need to see the whole path to walk it; you just need to trust the One who leads. The unknown isn’t a threat to your faith; it’s the very ground where faith grows.
So today, take one small step of trust. It might be forgiving someone, releasing a long-held fear, or moving forward in obedience despite doubt. Remember: walking by faith isn’t about knowing where you’re going, it’s about knowing Who goes with you.
Call to Trust
If your heart feels heavy with uncertainty today, pause and breathe. God is not lost in your unknowns; He’s already there, preparing the way. Every fog-covered path is an invitation to lean closer, listen deeper, and walk lighter.
Simple Step: Choose one area of your life that feels uncertain. Write it down, pray over it, and release it into God’s hands. Then, thank Him in advance for how He will work it for your good.
Prayer:
Lord, when I cannot see the way, help me trust Your heart. Strengthen my faith to walk with courage and peace, knowing You go before me. Amen.
For more devotionals and faith-building resources, subscribe to the EXCEL2FAITH Newsletter at www.excel2faith.com.
🌿 Faith-in-Action Mini Challenge: “Trust Trail” Fill-in-the-Blanks
Instructions:
Below are five short statements based on key truths from the blog. Read each one slowly, fill in the missing word, and let the completed sentence become your declaration of trust today.
“For we walk by ________, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Faith begins where my ________ ends.
When I let go of control, I make room for ________.
Trusting God daily turns fear into ________.
Even when I can’t see the way, God is already ________ the way.
Answer Key (peek only after reflecting!):
1. faith 2. understanding 3. peace 4. faith 5. preparing
Reflection:
Say the complete sentences aloud as a short declaration of faith.
Let each truth anchor your heart whenever uncertainty tries to take over.
Trusting God By Jerry Bridges
Life rarely unfolds according to our plans. When uncertainty clouds the road ahead and answers seem distant, Trusting God by Jerry Bridges offers a steady light through the fog. With wisdom drawn straight from Scripture, Bridges reminds us that God’s sovereignty, love, and wisdom work together—even in the hardest moments—to shape our faith and strengthen our hearts. He writes not as a distant theologian but as a fellow traveler who has wrestled with doubt, loss, and the challenge of surrendering control.
Much like the message in Walking by Faith, Not by Sight, Bridges helps us see that real peace comes not from understanding every detail of God’s plan, but from knowing and trusting the One who holds the plan itself. Through relatable examples and timeless biblical truths, he teaches that faith is not passive—it’s a daily choice to rest in God’s character when circumstances make no sense.
If you’ve ever asked, “Can I really trust God with this?” this book will meet you with grace, honesty, and hope.
✨ Take a step of faith—discover Trusting God today.
Purchase your copy and continue your spiritual growth journey by subscribing to the EXCEL2FAITH Newsletter at www.excel2faith.com.
Heavenly Father, when the path ahead feels hidden and my heart trembles in the fog of uncertainty, teach me to trust Your steady hand more than my own understanding. Remind me that faith grows strongest in the places I cannot see, and that Your presence is my sure foundation. Help me surrender every anxious thought, resting in the truth that You are already preparing the way before me. Draw me closer to You each day, that my walk by faith may become a journey of deeper love, peace, and unwavering trust in Your perfect will.