Have you ever found yourself in a spot where the subsequent step wasn’t clear… and the silence from heaven felt deafening? I even have. Many times. And when you’re honest, so have you ever.
Whether it’s a relationship that’s change into confusing, a diagnosis you didn’t see coming, a financial hole you may’t climb out of, or a call that seems too big to make, you’ve probably faced moments once you didn’t know what to do. It’s disorienting. Paralyzing. And if we’re not careful, it could actually lead us into fear, rash decisions, or complete spiritual fatigue. But I need to share something with you today, something I’ve needed to remind myself throughout the hardest moments:
Not knowing what to do shouldn’t be similar to having no direction.
The Bible is stuffed with individuals who found themselves in that exact situation. And God met them, not at all times with immediate answers, but at all times with His presence and His Word.
6 Steps to Find Clarity in Confusion
1. Pause and Seek God’s Face Before His Hand
Let’s be honest. We often approach God looking for solutions moderately than relationship. However, in times when clarity is lacking, God invites us not right into a plan, but into His presence. King Jehoshaphat provides among the finest examples of this in 2 Chronicles 20. He receives word that an enormous army is approaching him, and he’s terrified. But as an alternative of panicking, scheming, or counting on his own strength, the Bible says:
“Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord… and he proclaimed a quick for all Judah.” – 2 Chronicles 20:3
And then comes this powerful admission:
“We have no idea what to do, but our eyes are on you.” – 2 Chronicles 20:12
That is the posture of religion within the fog. When you’re unsure of what to do, take a moment to pause. Don’t rush. Don’t act simply to feel productive. Seek God’s presence, not only His answers.
2. Remember What God Has Already Said
When you may’t hear God’s voice within the moment, refer back to what He has already said in His Word. The enemy loves to make use of confusion as a weapon. He’ll whisper, “See? God’s not talking. You’re on your individual.” But that’s a lie. While the voice of God could appear quiet in your crisis, His Word is at all times alive and lively.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light-weight to my path.” – Psalm 119:105
Notice that the lamp isn’t meant for your entire journey but in your feet. Sometimes God only provides enough light for the next step, not the entire staircase. This means we walk in trust, not with complete knowledge. When I’ve faced seasons of deep uncertainty, I’ve needed to remind myself: What did God tell me in the sunshine that I’m now doubting in the dead of night? Go back. Read it again. Anchor yourself there.
3. Surrender Control, Even When You’re Afraid
This is likely to be the toughest step of all. Most of us think we trust God until He stops giving us details. But real faith begins when the main points disappear. Proverbs 3:5- 6 doesn’t say, “Trust within the Lord with all of your heart and He will explain every part to you.” No—it says:
“Trust within the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your individual understanding; in all of your ways undergo him, and he’ll make your paths straight.”
Leaning not on your individual understanding signifies that your logic, your plan, and your timelines may not align with what God is doing—and that’s okay. It’s OK not to know. What’s not okay is clinging so tightly to regulate that we forfeit our peace. Surrender is difficult. It’s a every day challenge. Sometimes, it’s even minute-by-minute. Yet, it’s sacred. Furthermore, it serves because the gateway to trust.
4. Obey the Last Instruction
I’ve learned: When I don’t know what to do next, I ask myself, “Did I fully obey the very last thing God told me to do?” Obedience opens doors, while partial obedience keeps them shut. If God told you to forgive someone and you continue to hold onto the grudge, it’s no wonder you’re feeling stuck. If He told you to step out but you’re still sitting back, possibly that’s why you’re feeling confused. God is a great Father. He won’t offer you additional revelation when you haven’t responded to what He’s already shown you.
So when unsure, return to the last clear instruction, and be sure that you’ve been faithful there.
5. Wait Without Wasting the Wait
Sometimes we just should wait. I don’t prefer it. You don’t prefer it. But the reality is, waiting shouldn’t be weakness. It’s worship—when done in faith. Isaiah 40:31 doesn’t say those that rush will renew their strength. It says:
“But those that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles.”
What if the very thing you’re attempting to escape—this fog, this limbo, this uncertainty—is where God is renewing you? What if the silence is constructing your spiritual strength? Waiting doesn’t mean doing nothing. It means doing what you already know to do, while trusting God for what you don’t.
6. Surround Yourself with Truth-Tellers, Not Noise-Makers
When you’re confused, not every voice should get your ear. Some people will feed your fear. Others will fill your time with noise. But you wish individuals who will point you back to God, not draw you away from Him. When Jehoshaphat prayed, he didn’t pray alone. He called for a quick and gathered the people, understanding that he was facing a battle too large to confront by himself.
When I do not know what to do, I call a friend who will pray and never panic. I open the Bible before I open my group text. You need truth-tellers in your side—individuals who will remind you who God is and who you’re in Him when your emotions start shouting louder than your faith.
Faith within the Fog
Friend, when you’re in a season of uncertainty, breathe. You’re not alone. You’re not failing. And you’re not forgotten. God is not waiting so that you can figure every part out. He’s waiting so that you can fix your eyes on Him. Let Him lead you, one lamp-lit step at a time. And remember: He shouldn’t be the creator of confusion, but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33).
You don’t have to know what steps to take to maneuver forward. You just should know who you’re following. Let Him be sufficient for now. He at all times is.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Ben Roberts Photography
Cynthia Garrett broke barriers when she became the primary African American woman within the U.S. to host a network late-night show, NBC’s Later with Cynthia Garrett. She is currently seen on TBN and Salem Media networks, in addition to on Fox News and other news outlets, addressing cultural issues and today’s news. The Cynthia Garrett Podcasts premiere weekly on all major podcast platforms.
A highly sought-after speaker, creator, TV host, and ordained minister, Garrett is the creator of The Naked Truth: Reclaiming Sexual Freedom in a Culture of Lies (2024), I Choose Victory: Moving from Victim to Victor (2020), and Prodigal Daughter: A Journey Home to Identity (2016). For more information, visit www.cynthiagarrett.org
