Stepping Stones
Therefore, they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. ~ Acts 14:3
I never fully understood perseverance when I was younger. I thought that when a door opened, I would just decide whether or not to walk through it based on how things looked at the time. I often let circumstances guide my choices. Was I feeling motivated? Would it make my life easier or harder? Would it require effort I didn’t want to give? Most importantly, would it benefit me more to move forward or just stay where I was?
What I didn’t understand was that each decision could be made in faith. Not blind faith, but the kind of faith that is rooted in knowing God’s plan and trusting Him step by step through each open door. I didn’t realize that obstacles and struggles weren’t signs to stop, they were part of growing and stepping into the next season God had prepared for me. Looking back, I now see how many opportunities I passed up simply because I didn’t recognize them as part of God’s mission for my life.
Over time, I began to learn how to hear when the Holy Spirit was prompting me to act. I started to tune in, pray through the plan, and recognize the next step. I asked for the strength to take it and held on to what God had shown me, even when things got hard. That mindset shift changed everything.
That’s how the apostles lived. In today’s passage, Paul and Barnabas continued preaching boldly despite facing intense opposition. Their message was initially received with joy, but soon the crowds were stirred up against them. Many people would have taken that as a sign to leave or even quit, but not Paul and Barnabas. Verse 3 tells us they stayed even longer, and God confirmed His message through signs and wonders. They didn’t leave when things surrounding them got difficult. They stayed because they knew their assignment and they trusted the power of God to bring the victory.
No matter what season you’re in, whether it’s transition, waiting, or stepping into something new, remember that every phase is important. The decisions you make today are shaping your tomorrow. The sooner you press into God’s voice and seek His guidance, the sooner you’ll be able to walk with purpose and stability, even in the storms.
Here is how you can get started today:
- Set aside daily time to talk to God and ask Him to make His next step clear.
- Keep a notebook or a note taking app on your phone nearby to write down what you sense He is leading you toward.
- Surround yourself with godly people who encourage you and help you grow.
- Seek wisdom from someone further along in their journey to ask questions and learn from their faith.
- Stay faithful in the small things. Big faith starts with small obedience.
Today I want to encourage you to approach your life with a purposeful mindset. God’s power is available to you as you walk with Him step by step. Even if your journey takes some unexpected turns, hold fast to His voice and keep moving forward. He will give you boldness and strength for each step. What feels like a struggle now may actually be the steppingstone to your greatest breakthrough, both for your life and for His Kingdom.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 14:1-7
1 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed.
2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren.
3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
4 But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
5 And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them,
6t hey became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region.
7 And they were preaching the gospel there.
Journal Prompt:
- What is one door God may be opening in your life right now?
- What’s holding you back from stepping through it?
- How can you invite God into that hesitation today?
The Daily Dose 