When Waiting on God Is Really Fear | Peace Won’t Always Come Before the Step

Sometimes what we call waiting on the Lord is truly wisdom.

Sometimes it’s patience.

Sometimes it’s the Spirit teaching us to trust God’s timing.

But sometimes, if we’re honest…

What we call waiting is fear.

I’ve been thinking a lot about that lately, and it’s the topic for today’s Unwrapping Rest, the podcast for Christian women who are tired of the hustle and hungry for peace that lasts.

I’m Dawn Tolbert, and this is Episode 13, When Waiting on God Is Really Fear: Peace Won’t Always Come Before the Next Step.

Recently, I sat down with a couple of trusted friends and shared something that had been stirring in my heart for a while—a message the Lord seems to have built in me slowly through the story of Jonah.

I was talking through it, sharing what I sensed and asking them to pray with me.

That’s when one of them said something simple that has really stayed with me.

She said, “I’ll pray, but it sounds like something you just need to do.”

That sentence lingered.

I had prayed for confirmation, and it was delivered through a beautiful, smiling face.

In that moment, I realized I had wrapped hesitation in spiritual language—praying, waiting, seeking confirmation.

Now hear me clearly: prayer is never wrong.

Seeking the Lord is never wrong.

Waiting on Him is deeply biblical.

But sometimes we ask for one more sign when God has already made the next step clear.

I wonder if you’ve ever done that.

I know I have.

It made me think about Gideon.

In the book of Judges, Gideon was called by God to lead Israel, but he was afraid.

The assignment felt bigger than his courage, so he asked for a sign.

He placed a fleece before the Lord.

Dew on the fleece, but not on the ground.

He got the sign he asked for, but he wanted just one more confirmation.

So the next day there was dew on the ground, but not on the fleece.

God, in His kindness, responded patiently.

But Gideon’s story shows us something important.

Fearful hearts often long for certainty before obedience.

And who among us hasn’t felt that?

We want clarity with no discomfort, assurance with no risk, confirmation with no vulnerability.

But faith often looks like taking the next small step with what God has already said.

Abraham left his home for a place God would show him.

Jonah knew exactly what God had said.

His issue wasn’t a lack of guidance.

It was resistance.

Gideon had guidance too.

God had clearly called him.

His issue was fear.

And sometimes ours is the same.

So maybe the question for us today is not, Has God spoken?

Maybe the question is, Do I need more confirmation, or do I need courage?

I’m not sharing this as someone who has mastered this lesson.

I’m sharing it as someone recognizing this tendency in myself.

And maybe someone listening needs this reminder too.

God is so kind to fearful people.

He was kind to Gideon.

He was patient with Jonah.

And He is patient with us.

But His kindness is not always permission to stay still.

Sometimes His kindness is the gentle nudge forward.

Maybe your next step isn’t huge.

Maybe it’s one conversation.

One invitation.

One phone call.

One act of obedience.

One yes.

And maybe peace won’t come before the next step.

Maybe peace will meet you in it.

And you can be certain of this:

If God is calling you forward, He will be with you.

Again and again in Scripture, when God says, “Do not fear,” He ties it to His presence.

He doesn’t always give all the details.

He gives Himself.

Jesus said, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

So no, you may not have every answer.

You may not have every assurance you want.

But when you have Him, you have what you need for the next step.

Thank you for being here today.

I hope this episode gave your heart a little breathing room.

Until next time, keep resting, keep trusting Jesus, and remember: You don’t have to do it all to be deeply loved by God.