Sometimes, we crave change.

Whether we’re sick and tired of our day job and want to find a new career we’ll love, or we’ve been waiting an eternity for a door to open, sometimes we crave change enough to act without consulting the One who developed the ultimate plan for our lives.

Craving change is normal, but if we’re craving change enough that we’re willing to move without seeking God’s approval, it can also be detrimental and render negative consequences.

Even though I’ve craved change in a certain area of my own life for close to a decade now, I’m a firm believer that we shouldn’t move until God says so. Here’s why.

It’s Unwise to Try to Bypass God

“For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:

They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.”

-Proverbs 1:29-33, KJV

As this passage in Proverbs describes, trying to walk ahead of God and remap His plan for our lives is not just an act of disobedience, but one that could bring about negative consequences. We may think any opportunity that comes our way may be sent by God, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes, Satan places pitfalls along our path to tempt us and try to get us to fall into sin, much like he manipulated Eve in the Garden of Eden into eating the forbidden fruit.

How Do We Follow God’s Lead?

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

-Romans 12:2, KJV

As imperfect humans, we often make following God’s lead more complicated than it truly is. Here in Romans, God’s Word instructs believers to renew our minds so that we may know what is good, acceptable, perfect, and the will of God. Renewing our minds comes from studying God’s Word, which is described as a lamp for our path (Psalm 119:105). If we’ve accepted Jesus as our Savior, He has given us the Holy Spirit, also known as The Helper, to guide us (John 14:26).

Why Is It So Hard to Hear God Sometimes?

For illustrative purposes, let’s go back to one of the examples I gave in the introduction, the one about being sick and tired of your current job and craving a new career that you’ll love. Maybe you’ve been at this job a few months and decide to ask God for guidance on how to handle your job or for doors to open so you can leave and pursue new opportunities. Right now, you’re content with waiting on God’s guidance. Then months at this aggravating job turn into years, and even though you’re seeking God’s guidance through His Word and prayer, it seems like He’s silent whenever you ask Him about this. By this point, you’ll have a horrendous day at work and turn to job websites, actively seeking out potential escape routes. You may even apply for openings that seem like strong opportunities. The thing is, you’ll never get any callbacks. Doors will seem like they’re welded shut instead of opening like you asked for. And at this point, you’re past impatient with God and are contemplating throwing your two weeks notice at your boss and embracing financial struggle because you’re so desperate for change.

The thing is, we often get impatient if we feel that we’re not getting God’s guidance the moment we ask for it. We’ll start to think God’s not listening to us, that He doesn’t care, and then think we can just solve the issue ourselves by turning to other sources for “guidance” (i.e. job sites full of “opportunities” that are not in His ultimate plan for us).

But maybe, hear me out, the thing isn’t that God’s “so hard to hear”, but that you’ve been too busy yelling at Him to change the situation that you haven’t been able to hear that still, small voice of His that’s saying, “I haven’t said it’s time to go yet.”

It may have seemed like God was silent this entire time but think about this: If God wanted you to switch jobs, He would’ve allowed you to get hired somewhere else. If God didn’t want you at this job right now, He would’ve moved you away from it in some way. Sometimes, we’re so busy trying to hear words from God that we completely overlook His guidance through His actions! Sometimes, He wants us to stay where we are until we’ve completed the mission He has for us there, and that’s on His watch, not ours.

What About Stepping Out in Faith?

Now, you may be thinking, “Well, Allyson, what if God’s not allowing any of my efforts to escape this job to pan out because He wants me to just step out in faith and quit instead?”

You could be right. God could very well be asking you to step out in faith and, still following our example from above, quit your job with no other job lined up so He can demonstrate His provision in your life. But, let me ask you this: Does the thought of quitting your job with no other job lined up make you feel at peace, or unsettled?

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

2 Timothy 1:7, KJV

If an opportunity is from God, even if we are not sure how everything will pan out, the Holy Spirit should give us peace about going that route. If an opportunity is from God, it should not contradict His Word in any way.

If, instead, we feel unsettled—maybe convicted?—about taking an opportunity, it may be that our decision-making motives are not aligned with God’s Word (i.e. making the decision out of anger, greed, etc.). The Holy Spirit may be telling us that this isn’t the way to go because we are not going about it in a way that honors God.

So, What Should We Do if God is Telling us to Be Still?

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

-Proverbs 3:5-6, KJV

As much as we tend to think differently when it’s happening, God doesn’t ask us to wait for no reason. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to not lean on our understanding, and to instead place trust in the fact that God is a faithful leader Who will never lead us astray.

Even if you’re desperate for change and want out of your current situation now, if the Holy Spirit has impressed upon you to be still, waiting on God’s okay to do so is the best thing you can do. His timing is perfect, and He has our best interests at heart. Therefore, it’s best to let the Leader lead, and follow Him down the path He has set out for you.

Talk to Me, Arrowheads!

Have you ever moved in a situation before receiving God’s approval and had to face negative consequences? What did you learn from this experience? If you’ve been waiting patiently for His approval to make a move, what advice do you have for others who are in extensive waiting seasons?

Aim high, stay strong, and always hit your mark.

-Allyson 😀