#17 God Has Not Changed His Mind

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind"
(2 Tim 1:7).

There are seasons in life when God’s call is clear, yet our response is slow. Not always because we do not love Him, but because obedience can feel weighty to our flesh. Sometimes fear, self-doubt, delay, and the pressure of life make us hesitate. We may not say “no” to God outright, but we postpone, resist, negotiate, or look for a more comfortable route.

Years ago, long before I became a wife and mother and not long after I stepped into missionary life, I sensed a simple but strong instruction in my heart: “Feed My lambs.” So I did. I served children through neighborhood Bible clubs, Sunday School, and summer programs. Later, I began ministering to teenagers because I remembered what it felt like to go through school without truly knowing the Lord.

As life grew and changed through marriage, motherhood, and ministry, I began sensing another shift. It was no longer enough to reach only one child at a time. The Lord was enlarging the assignment. He was drawing my attention to the people who shape children; parents, teachers, and those entrusted with the next generation. So I began pouring into those who teach and raise children and teens. Then, around the end of 2021, I sensed yet another instruction: to go on social media. That was not an easy yes. Like Jonah, I wrestled with it. I questioned whether I belonged there, whether my voice mattered, whether it was the right time, and whether anyone would even listen. I started, then stopped. I explored what felt easier and more comfortable. But what God had placed on my heart would not leave me. He was patient, but He was also persistent.

Eventually, I returned to the assignment. And that is one thing I have come to appreciate about the Lord: when He calls, He does not stop calling simply because we hesitate. His purpose remains. His invitation remains. His mercy remains. He knows how to bring us back to the very thing we once resisted. 

Sometimes we begin with one assignment, and then as we grow, God expands or redirects it. That can feel unsettling. We like familiar ground. We like plans we can control. But obedience often requires movement beyond what feels comfortable. It requires trust that the One who is leading us knows why the shift is necessary.

Fear is often what fights us most in those moments. Fear of failure. Fear of exposure. Fear of inadequacy. Fear of getting it wrong. But Scripture reminds us that God has not given us the Spirit of fear. He has given us power, love, and a sound mind. In other words, whatever God calls you to do, He also provides the grace to walk it out.

This matters because our obedience is never about us alone. If you are a parent, teacher, leader, mentor, or simply someone whose life touches others, then your yes to God carries weight beyond your own life. Every act of obedience helps shape a legacy. Every step of surrender opens the door for God to work through you in ways that reach farther than you can presently see.

That is why you must not keep running from what God has made clear. You do not need to have everything figured out before you obey. You do not need a flawless plan. You do not need to feel fully ready. You need a willing heart and the courage to take the next step. God is not asking you to perform. He is asking you to yield.

So if something in you has been stirring, pay attention. If there is an assignment you have delayed, a prompting you have resisted, or a call you have tried to outrun, this may be your reminder: come back to it. God is still calling, and His grace is still available.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your patience, Your mercy, and Your faithfulness toward me. Thank You that even when I hesitate, You do not give up on the purpose You have for my life. Deliver me from fear, delay, and every excuse that keeps me from obeying You fully. Give me courage to embrace my assignment and grace to take the next step with faith and humility. In Jesus’ name, amen.