There’s a tension that every faith-driven entrepreneur has wrestled with at some point:
Do I wait on God, or do I take action?
We’re told to trust His timing, to lean not on our own understanding, to be still and know that He is God.
But we’re also called to be good stewards, to work with excellence, to multiply what He’s given us.
So, when you’re standing at a crossroads—whether it’s launching something new, pivoting in your business, or making a big investment—how do you know when to move forward in faith and when to wait on His timing?
Because let’s be honest, waiting can feel wise… or it can feel like procrastination dressed up in a prayer request. And taking action can feel bold and faith-filled… or like running ahead without listening.
The good news? We don’t have to guess. There are signs that help us discern when it’s time to trust and when it’s time to take the next step.
Trusting God Doesn’t Mean Standing Still
Some business owners hesitate to take the next step because they don’t want to “get ahead of God.” They wait for a perfectly clear sign before moving forward.
But throughout Scripture, we see something interesting—God rarely lays out the whole plan upfront. Instead, He asks people to move in faith before they see the full picture.
• Abraham left his homeland without knowing where he was going.
• Peter stepped out of the boat before he knew if he could stand on the water.
• The Israelites had to step into the Jordan River before God parted the waters, to get to the Promised Land.
If you’re waiting for 100% certainty before taking action, you might be waiting longer than necessary.
Faith doesn’t mean sitting still. It means walking forward, knowing God will direct your steps along the way.
Taking Action Doesn’t Mean Taking Over
On the other hand, some entrepreneurs go all in—hard work, hustle, and sheer force of will. If there’s an obstacle, they push through it. If there’s a delay, they work harder.
There’s nothing wrong with drive and determination. But there’s a difference between taking action and taking over.
Signs you might be forcing something instead of following God’s lead:
• Every decision feels rushed or pressured rather than peaceful.
• You’re ignoring red flags because you just want it to work.
• The harder you push, the more doors seem to close.
If you’ve ever been in a situation where you made something happen, but in hindsight, you wish you hadn’t, you know what this feels like.
Faith-driven business isn’t about sitting back and doing nothing, but it’s also not about hustling ourselves into burnout.
So how do we tell the difference?
When to Move, When to Wait: How to Discern Your Next Step
The tension between trust and action isn’t a new struggle. But God has given us wisdom, discernment, and practical ways to make faith-filled decisions.
Here’s what helps:
1. Prayer & Listening
Before making a decision, have you actually asked God about it? Have you sat in silence long enough to listen? Or just fired off a quick “Lord, let me know what to do” and moved on with your day?
God doesn’t always answer instantly, but He does answer. And the more we make space to listen, the more clarity we gain.
2. Peace vs. Pressure
Big decisions often bring nervousness, but there’s a difference between feeling stretched and feeling forced.
If a decision comes with peace, even in the unknown, that’s a good sign. If it comes with anxious striving and fear of missing out, that’s worth pausing to examine.
3. Open vs. Closed Doors
God doesn’t play mind games. If doors are opening naturally, that’s a good sign of alignment. If you’re forcing every step and meeting resistance at every turn, it might be time to reassess.
(That doesn’t mean give up at the first challenge—some doors take effort to push open. But there’s a difference between persistence and pushing something that isn’t meant to be.)
4. Seeking Wise Counsel
Sometimes we’re too close to a decision to see it clearly. A trusted mentor, spiritual advisor, or fellow business owner can bring clarity.
If the people who know you and your business best are all raising their eyebrows at a decision? That’s worth paying attention to.
Stewardship Means Trust + Action
The best business decisions don’t come from blind faith or pure strategy. They come from a place of prayerful action. Stewardship means trusting God while also using the wisdom, skills, and resources He’s already given us.
So if you’re feeling stuck, ask yourself:
• Is this a moment to trust, or a moment to take action?
• What’s one small step I can take in faith today?
Because waiting on God doesn’t mean doing nothing. And taking action doesn’t mean doing it alone. When trust and action work together, that’s when we see real growth—not just in business, but in faith.
And the fact that you are so diligently wondering which decision would please the Lord? That means you are already on the right track. Remember these words of St. Thomas Merton’s prayer: “But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.”
If you need more guidance on how to choose if a new opportunity is one you should take on, I’ve written about that before, this article may help you.
And if you’re ready to align your business strategy with your faith-driven mission, let’s talk about how to make that happen.
