I knew I was called.
Not in a thunderous, dramatic moment, but in a still, persistent whisper that kept echoing through every season of my life. Whether I was washing dishes, nursing a baby, sitting in the back row of church, or dreaming at night, there it was. That tug on my spirit. That holy nudge. That divine invitation.
But alongside the calling was a weight I didn’t expect: fear.
Fear that I wasn’t enough.
Fear that I’d fail.
Fear that people would judge me, or worse, ignore me.
Fear that I had heard God wrong.
Even as I write this, I remember the swirl of emotions. The tension of knowing God was calling me to do more, to speak, to lead, to write, to pour into other women, while simultaneously wanting to hide in the safety of what was comfortable and familiar.
Maybe you’re there right now.
You feel called by God, but fear is holding you back. You’re anointed, but also anxious. You want to obey, but you’re afraid of what it will cost. You’re raising babies, holding down a job, trying to love your husband, and still wondering where your calling fits in.
Girlfriend, I get it. And I want to tell you this with my whole heart:
You can be called and still feel holy, and God will still use you.
The Myth of the “Fearless” Woman of Faith
Let’s start by breaking a myth. Somewhere along the way, many of us absorbed the idea that if you’re truly called by God, you’ll feel confident, ready, and equipped.
That’s a lie.
Biblically, we see the opposite.
- Moses doubted his ability to speak and begged God to choose someone else (Exodus 4:10-13).
- Esther had to be reminded by Mordecai that she was chosen “for such a time as this,” even while her life was on the line (Esther 4:14).
- Jeremiah told God he was too young and unqualified to be a prophet (Jeremiah 1:6).
- Even Jesus, in His humanity, asked the Father if the cup could pass from Him—yet chose obedience anyway (Luke 22:42).
So, if you’re waiting to feel fearless before you answer the call, you may never move.
Fear doesn’t mean you lack faith.
Fear is simply the place where faith gets to work.
My Personal Wrestling with Fear and Obedience
I remember one night, sitting in the dark after putting the kids to bed, tears streaming down my face. I had just finished folding laundry and was overwhelmed by the thought that I was supposed to be doing something more, something spiritual, something purposeful, but I felt paralyzed.
“How can I serve others when I’m still trying to serve my own family well?” I asked God.
“Who am I to lead women when I still struggle with my own doubts?”
That night, I pulled out my journal, the one I now call my Journal, and I wrote everything. The fears. The questions. The calling I couldn’t ignore. And as I poured my heart onto the page, I sensed God saying:
“This is where your ministry starts, right here, in your honesty.”
Obedience doesn’t begin when everything is perfect.
It begins when you say, “God, I’m scared… but I’m willing.”
Three Core Fears That Keep Us Stuck, and How to Break Them
Let’s unpack the fears that keep women stuck, especially those who know they’re called but can’t seem to move.
1. Fear of Inadequacy: “I’m not enough.”
We live in a culture obsessed with credentials and platforms. But God’s Kingdom runs differently. He qualifies those He calls.
God told Moses,
“I will be with your mouth” (Exodus 4:12).
That same promise applies to you.
Truth: You are enough, not because of your resume, but because of your relationship with the One who called you.
Action: Journal every lie you’ve believed about your inadequacy. Then, next to each one, write what God’s Word says instead.
2. Fear of Visibility: “What will people think?”
This one hits especially hard for mothers whose ministry has been hidden in the home. When God calls you to speak up, show up, or step out, it can feel terrifying.
But your calling isn’t about you. It’s about the lives connected to your “yes.”
Truth: Obedience isn’t about being seen. It’s about being faithful.
Action: Ask God to give you courage to serve in the small, unseen places. Write about a time someone else’s obedience changed your life.
3. Fear of Failure: “What if I mess up?”
God isn’t asking for perfection. He’s asking for participation.
You will mess up. You will fall short. But grace will meet you every step of the way.
Truth: Failure is not fatal in the Kingdom of God. It’s part of the process.
Action: Reframe failure in your journal. What if failure is actually preparation?
But that doesn’t mean you’re disqualified from also leading, creating, or building outside the home. Sometimes the very dreams God placed in you are meant to model faith to your children.
What Obedience Looks Like When You’re a Mom First
If your first ministry is your children, I want to remind you that raising world-changers, prayer warriors, and kingdom builders is a holy assignment.
I once thought I had to wait until the kids were grown before I could walk in my purpose. But God reminded me: My purpose doesn’t pause just because my season is busy.
Your babies are watching how you trust God.
They’re watching how you answer His call.
And sometimes your obedience is the breakthrough your household needs.
How I Moved Through Fear: Journaling My Way Into Clarity
Journaling was and is my sacred space. It is the place where I get real with God.
No filters. No fancy prayers. Just raw, trembling honesty.
I write:
- What I am afraid of
- What I sense God is saying
- What I am willing to try
Over time, my Spoken Words Journal became a conversation between me and Heaven. I do not writing to “figure it all out.” I write to stay close to the One who already has the plan.
And Girlfriend, that changes everything.
Five Ways to Step Forward When You’re Still Scared
If you’re in the thick of it right now, here are five practical ways to move from stuck to surrendered:
- Name Your Fear. Bring it into the light. Call it what it is. God can handle your honesty.
- Start Small. Obedience doesn’t have to be dramatic. Start by writing the vision. Making the call. Sending the email. Saying the prayer.
- Stay in the Word. Anchor yourself in scriptures like 2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 41:10, and Psalm 56:3. Fear flees in the presence of truth.
- Use the Spoken Words Journal. Create space to process what God is saying. Write your fears. Speak your faith. Record your growth.
- Ask for Support. Let someone pray with you. Share your calling with a trusted friend. Community matters.
Biblical Encouragement for the Fearful Yet Faithful
Let’s seal this with scripture. Meditate on these truths:
Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.”
2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
Psalm 56:3 – “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart… and He will make your paths straight.”
These are weapons against fear.
You Don’t Have to Wait to Feel Brave to Be Obedient
What matters more than how you feel is what you choose.
And even scared obedience is still obedience.
So here’s what I want you to know:
- You are called, even if your voice shakes.
- You are equipped, even if you feel behind.
- You are chosen, even when you doubt it.
And you don’t have to figure it all out today. Just take the next step.
Start by writing.
Start by praying.
Start by believing again.
Let the Spoken Words Journal Be Your Next Step
The Spoken Words Journal is more than a notebook, it’s a heavenly space for scared obedience. For holy honesty. For processing your calling and pushing past fear.
With 21 guided prompts rooted in scripture, you’ll walk through:
- Hearing God’s voice
- Processing your doubts
- Writing out your next steps
- Anchoring your identity in Him
- Renewing your boldness and trust
If you’re called but stuck, I’ve been there too. Let me help you move, from questioning to clarity.
➡️ Grab your Spoken Words Journal now »
Because God doesn’t need your perfection. He just wants your yes.
You Were Called On Purpose
Girlfriend, I know what it’s like to feel the weight of purpose and the sting of fear all at once.
But I also know what happens when you say yes.
Doors open. Chains break. Identity is restored. Generations shift.
So say yes, even if your voice trembles.
Say yes, even if you’re a mother with a full plate.
Say yes, even if you don’t feel ready.
Because you were called on purpose. And fear is not your final story, obedience is.
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