We’ve all been there, stuck in that frustrating in-between space where we don’t know what to do next. It could be a decision you’re struggling with, a season of waiting that feels endless, or a situation where no option seems like the right one. It can make you feel overwhelmed, discouraged, or even paralyzed when you don’t have clear direction. But just because you don’t know what to do doesn’t mean you have to do nothing. There are steps you can take to move forward, even when the path isn’t clear. And more than anything, you can trust that Jesus isn’t distant, He’s right there with you, leading you even when you don’t see the way.
If you find yourself in the predicament of not knowing what to do next, here are five things you can do:
1. Pray First, Not Last
So often, we treat prayer like a last resort instead of our first response. We wrestle with decisions, overanalyze, stress ourselves out, and then finally pray when we feel like we’ve exhausted every other option. But what if we flipped that? What if, instead of trying to figure things out on our own, we brought it to God first?
James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” God isn’t withholding wisdom from you. He wants to guide you, you just have to ask.
2. Go Back to What God Already Said
Sometimes we’re desperate for a new word from God when He’s already given us direction. What has He spoken to you in the past? What truths from Scripture can you stand on?
If you don’t know what to do, go back to what you do know. Stay faithful in what God last told you. His timing is perfect, and He doesn’t leave us hanging. Maybe the answer isn’t something new, but something He’s already made clear.
3. Seek Wise Counsel
Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” God designed us for community, and part of that design includes seeking wisdom from others who have walked with Him longer or have insight we don’t.
Find people who are rooted in Christ, including mentors, pastors, and trusted friends, and ask for their perspective. Sometimes, God speaks through the wisdom of others, and their counsel can help you see things more clearly.
4. Do the Next Right Thing
When we don’t know the big picture, we can still take the next small step. Sometimes, we get so caught up in trying to figure out everything that we end up doing nothing. But faith requires trusting Jesus one step at a time.
Ask yourself, What’s one thing I know I can do right now? Maybe it’s sending an email, making a phone call, serving where you are, or simply continuing to be faithful in your daily life. Obedience in the small things often leads to clarity in the big things.
5. Be Still and Trust Him
This one is hard, at least for me. We like to be in control, to have a plan, to know. But sometimes, God’s answer is to wait. And waiting doesn’t mean God is ignoring you, it means He’s working in ways you can’t see yet.
Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” When you don’t know what to do, lean into that truth. You don’t have to have all the answers. You don’t have to figure it all out today. Trust that God is leading you, even in the silence.
If you're feeling stuck, take heart—Not knowing what to do doesn't mean God has left you stranded; it simply means He's inviting you to trust Him more deeply. Pray, go back to His Word, seek wise counsel, take the next right step, and rest in His timing. He is faithful, and He will guide you always.
What’s one way you’ve learned to trust God when you didn’t know what to do? Let’s talk about it in the comments!
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