Trusting God in Quiet Obedience
For our 25th wedding anniversary, Mike took me to Costa Rica. He planned several adventures for us, but the one we were most excited about was a day at Rincón de la Vieja National Park.
The food was amazing. We enjoyed mud baths, soaked in hot springs, and even went down a water slide on the side of a rainforest mountain. We rode horseback through the jungle—and at one point, monkeys even threw sticks down at us from the trees!
But the biggest adventure of all?
The zipline tour.
Mike was very excited about this part.
Me? I thought I was… until I stood on the first platform.
The guide told me to jump so he could catch me and clip me into the line. My heart was racing. Panic started to rise.
Would this be my first panic attack?
I heard myself whisper, “I am so afraid,” as I looked into the eyes of this young man holding me steady.
And then, at that moment, I heard something deeper.
Through him, I heard the words of Jesus:
“Do not be afraid.”
His voice was calm. Confident. Steady.
And then he sent me off.
As I soared across the jungle, my imagined fears began to fade. Instead of terror, I felt awe. Wonder. Beauty. The view of that untouched landscape was breathtaking.
And yes, I made it safely to the other side!
Later that night, Mike told me he was proud of me for facing my fear.
What he didn’t know is this:
I don’t always feel strong.
Often, I feel afraid.
What Does Trusting God Look Like?
Let me gently encourage you:
Courage is not the absence of fear.
Courage is choosing faith in the middle of it.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
~Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
Faith isn’t about having no fear.
It’s about believing God is who He says He is even when you can’t see the outcome.
Faith is trusting God in quiet obedience.
When Jesus called His first disciples, He didn’t explain the full journey. He didn’t tell them how afraid they would feel or what they would face.
He simply said:
“Follow Me.”
They took one step.
Then another.
Then another.
And as they walked with Him, their courage grew.
Friend, your spiritual growth isn’t based on how strong you are, it’s built on your faithfulness.
And faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit.
Faithfulness Is Courage
Hebrews 11 is often called the “Hall of Faith.” It highlights some of the most courageous people in Scripture.
But when you read their full stories, you’ll notice something important:
They weren’t fearless.
They were uncertain.
They wrestled.
They doubted.
But they chose faithfulness anyway.
They chose to trust God over their fear of outcomes.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God…”
~Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
Courage Comes from Quiet Confidence
Courage isn’t a bold personality trait.
It’s a quiet confidence in who God is.
The men and women in Hebrews 11 faced situations far beyond their ability. Instead of relying on their own strength or the opinions of others they chose obedience.
They followed God when it didn’t make sense.
When it wasn’t popular.
When no one else understood.
That is real courage.
Courage is obedience even when no one sees.
How to Find Courageous Faith in Midlife
As midlife Christian women, we’ve seen God’s faithfulness.
We’ve experienced His comfort.
We’ve leaned on His strength.
We know what it feels like to be held by Him.
And yet we still face moments that feel overwhelming.
Life can feel heavy.
Expectations can feel loud.
Anxiety can creep in quietly.
But it’s right there in those moments that God draws close.
And if we listen, we’ll hear Him whisper:
“Do not be afraid.”
He holds us steady when we feel like we might fall.
Choosing to trust Him in the fear is what grows our faith.
And faith produces peace—even in the middle of chaos.
3 Practical Ways to Walk in Quiet Courage
- Stay rooted in God’s Word daily
Truth anchors your heart when fear tries to take over. - Obey the next step
You don’t need the full plan—just your next yes. - Release the outcome to God
Your responsibility is obedience. The results belong to Him.
My friend, if staying in God’s Word feels overwhelming or you’re not sure where to start, I want to invite you to my 31-Day Fruit of the Spirit Bible Reading Plan.
It’s designed to help you grow in faith, deepen your trust, and strengthen your spirit one simple step at a time.
In the next post, we’ll talk about how to find peace in the middle of chaos…
and I’ll share what God whispered to me mid-zipline that I’ll never forget.
Let me ask you this:
Where is God asking you to take one small step of obedience today?
Let me know in the comments what step you’re choosing to take.
I’m cheering for you!
