In the quiet moments of our faith journey, God sometimes whispers directions that our emotions often resist. Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in the call to prepare – whether for ministry, for challenges ahead, or for serving others in times of need. Our feelings often push against such promptings because they often take us out of our comfort zone. We often outright dismiss the leading of God and ignore the call as unnecessary worry or perhaps question if we truly heard from God at all.
Consider Joseph in Egypt. When God revealed the coming famine through Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph faced a monumental task. “Let Pharaoh take action to appoint overseers in charge of the land, and let him exact a fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven years of abundance” (Genesis 41:34). Imagine the doubts that must have assailed him. Who was he, a former prisoner, to implement such a vast program? What if the dreams were misinterpreted? What if people resisted giving up their grain?
Yet Joseph’s response teaches us something profound about moving forward despite our doubts. He didn’t wait until he felt completely confident. He didn’t allow his emotions – which surely included fear, uncertainty, and perhaps even memories of past betrayals – to override God’s clear direction.
“Now Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh” (Genesis 41:46). Young, likely still carrying emotional scars from his brothers’ betrayal and his time in prison, Joseph nevertheless moved forward. His obedience wasn’t based on feelings but on faith in the God who had proven faithful through every pit and prison.
This intersection of divine calling and human doubt often becomes most apparent when God calls us to prepare for future challenges. Like Noah building an ark before any rain fell, we may find ourselves called to take actions that don’t make emotional sense. Our feelings cry out, “But everything seems fine!” or “What will others think?”
Consider these words from Proverbs: “A prudent person sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty” (Proverbs 22:3). Notice it doesn’t say the prudent person feels like taking refuge – they simply act on what they see, guided by wisdom rather than emotion.
The paralysis of doubt often manifests in three deceptive questions:
First: “Did I really hear from God?” This was likely the same doubt that plagued Noah during those long years of ark-building under clear skies. Yet Scripture teaches us that God’s voice becomes clearer as we obey: “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” (Ephesians 5:17). Understanding often follows obedience, not the other way around.
Second: “What if I’m overreacting?” Joseph could have easily dismissed the dreams as mere coincidence. After all, Egypt had survived famines before. But wisdom often requires acting before the crisis is evident: “The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won’t face facts” (Proverbs 14:8, TLB).
Third: “What will others think?” This doubt particularly stings when preparing for uncertain futures. Yet Scripture repeatedly shows God calling people to prepare in ways that seemed foolish to others. “By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark” (Hebrews 11:7).
Joseph’s story provides a masterclass in overcoming these doubts. Notice his approach:
- He focused on God’s revelation rather than his emotions. When interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph immediately pointed to God: “It is as I have spoken to Pharaoh: God has shown to Pharaoh what He is about to do” (Genesis 41:28).
- He acted with wisdom rather than waiting for feelings of certainty. “The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his servants” (Genesis 41:37). Joseph didn’t wait until everyone felt emotionally ready – he implemented necessary actions based on divine wisdom.
- He prepared systematically despite uncertain timing. “Let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming” (Genesis 41:35). Joseph didn’t allow the abundance of the present to lull him into complacency about the future.
But perhaps most importantly, Joseph understood something we often forget: Preparation isn’t just about survival – it’s about service. “The people of all the earth came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph” (Genesis 41:57). His obedience to prepare, despite his doubts, positioned him to save not only Egypt but surrounding nations, including the very family that had betrayed him.
This reveals a crucial truth: When God calls us to prepare, it’s rarely just for our own benefit. Like Joseph, our obedience in preparing – whether spiritually, materially, or both – often becomes the means through which God provides for others.
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place” (Esther 4:14). Mordecai’s words to Esther remind us that God’s purposes will be accomplished – the question is whether we will overcome our doubts to participate in His plan.
Moving forward despite our doubts requires a fundamental shift in perspective. Instead of asking, “Do I feel certain enough?” we must ask, “Is God faithful enough?” The answer to the second question never changes, even when our feelings do.
Consider this promise: “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). Notice the three counterweights to fear: power (God’s ability working through us), love (focus on serving others), and discipline (action based on truth rather than feelings).
When God calls you to prepare – whether for ministry, for challenges ahead, or for serving others – remember:
Your emotions are real, but they’re not reliable guides. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).
Your doubts don’t disqualify you. Joseph served God effectively despite his youth and past trauma. “Let no one look down on your youthfulness” (1 Timothy 4:12).
Your obedience matters more than your feelings. “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (James 1:22).
Let us pray: Father, like Joseph, help us to move forward in obedience when You call us to prepare, even when our emotions resist. Give us wisdom to distinguish between anxiety-driven fear and Your divine prompting. Help us to act not based on our feelings but on Your faithfulness. Guide us in preparing not just for our own security but for the service of others. And remind us that, like Joseph, our current trials may be preparation for future ministry. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
