Why Moving Forward Can Be So Hard (And What God Says About It)

Think about the most impactful moments in your life. We’ve all had them. Here are some of mine:
My wedding day
The birth of my children
The unexpected death of my best friend
ARC Conference 2019, where God called us to plant this church
The moment God called me into ministry at camp
The launch of Oasis in 2021

These moments changed the trajectory of my life. They defined me. They set my future into motion. You've had days like this too, days when everything changed. And today could be that day for you.

Now, let's dive into why moving forward can feel so hard. If you’re with me, say, “I’m with you.â€

Why Is Moving Forward So Difficult?
In Exodus 14, we find the Israelites finally free from hundreds of years of slavery in Egypt. God led them out, but soon they were trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army. They panicked and wanted to go back. Just like us, they faced resistance and wanted to return to what was familiar.

Let’s look at a few reasons why moving forward can be so tough:

1. Resistance
Moving forward often brings resistance. When the Israelites saw Pharaoh’s army approaching, they wanted to give up. They said, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt?” (Exodus 14:11–12 NLT).

When we meet resistance—whether in our marriage, health, or habits—we often feel like stopping. But resistance is not a sign to give up; it’s often proof that we’re moving in the right direction.

2. Sacrifice
Moving forward with God requires sacrifice. The Israelites counted the cost and thought it was too great. They wanted to go back to slavery because it was easier than pushing through the challenges ahead.

Jesus said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24 NLT). To move forward in our faith, there will be a cost. We must be willing to let go of our comfort to embrace what God has in store for us.

3. Uncertainty
The future can seem uncertain. The Israelites stood with the Red Sea in front of them and the Egyptian army behind them. It looked like there were no good options. How often do we feel stuck because we don’t see a clear path forward?

God’s plan for us is always better than anything we could imagine, but it’s hard to trust Him when we don’t know all the details. However, staying where we are won’t get us anywhere. God calls us to step out in faith, even when the future is unclear.

What Does God Say?
When Moses tried to calm the people, he told them to stand still and watch God work. But God had other instructions: “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!” (Exodus 14:15 NLT).

There’s a time to pray, but there’s also a time to act. The miracle happened only after the Israelites took their first steps toward the Red Sea. When we trust God and take that first step, He makes a way. He blesses the steps we take in faith.

So, what’s your next step? God is calling you to move forward. Yes, it’s hard. Yes, it requires sacrifice. Yes, it feels uncertain. But the future God has for you is better than anything you could ever imagine.

Let’s take that first step today. God is with us, and He will make a way.