Have you ever stepped into an unexpected new season? It may have been a role or situation you didn’t plan or feel ready for.
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on this insight:
“God wants us to be novices in the new, not experts in the old”.
And I believe this is a prophetic reminder for many today. [1]
Many of us long for clarity before we move forward. Yet, God calls us before we feel ready—even when we’ve waited a long time!
This is the nature of stepping into something new.
Trusting God When You Feel Unprepared in Your New Season
Here are some key insights I’ve reflected on recently:
1. Prepare Your Heart Rather Than Perfecting Plans
“You have not passed this way before” (Joshua 3:4)
A new season comes with no familiar roadmap or experience.
So, how do we prepare for something we’ve never done before?
Joshua gave a simple yet profound answer:
“Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you” (Joshua 3:5)
As we scramble to perfect our plans, God calls us aside to prepare our hearts.
Offering Your Heart in the New Season
I’m realizing why I needed those unscheduled days of retreat and prayer last month! [2]
Here are some approaches that have helped me:
- Position yourself in surrender, humility, and faith
- Reading the Bible with fresh eyes (I return to the Psalms during times of reflection)
- Release regrets, hurts, and offenses. Forgive and receive God’s healing (journaling helps)
- Surrender the need for control and trust God’s leadership
- Express your hunger for Him
Expect the Holy Spirit to move—even when you don’t see how everything will unfold.
2. Trust Him Before You See the Full Picture of the New Season
When God called Abraham, He didn’t give him a step-by-step plan. He simply said,
“Go to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1).
Similarly, when God leads us into something new, He rarely provides the roadmap in advance!
But the Father’s invitation is to trust Him before we see the full picture.
“…for we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7)
3. Look for Where God has “Prepared a Table”
A new season does not always come with immediate clarity and confidence.
- Sometimes, it can feel like a battle as we wrestle with inadequacy, doubt, and exhaustion
In the spiritual realm, the enemy is resisting our progress.
But in that uncertain place of new beginnings, God has already prepared everything we need.
The Lord spoke to me again through this recently:
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Psalm 23:5)
I felt anticipation and joy!
But then He added, “There’s a table I have laid for you that you will only partake of as you obey Me in this.”
Suddenly, I had a change of perspective! Though I was reluctant to step into the new, I realized that if I didn’t move forward, I would miss out on the portion God had prepared for me.
Feasting in the New Season
Naturally, we want feelings of confidence or satisfaction in work well done.
Or we look to our hearts for a sense of faith.
But the feast isn’t found in our feelings—these come and go.
The true feast is in the Father’s delight, as He takes joy in our faltering yet faithful obedience.
- It is in His supply of grace and His Spirit with us
- The banquet is in the stories of those impacted and the fruit of lives transformed
- It is found in the fresh revelation of who Jesus is to us right now
We may stumble in the unfamiliar ground of the new.
But as we keep moving, God gives us glimpses of what lies ahead.
4. Embrace Being a “Novice in the New”
We often find ourselves thrust into a new season before we feel ready.
There may be a disruption we didn’t expect, a door that opens suddenly, or a call that requires immediate obedience.
Like a baby bird pushed out of the nest, we flap awkwardly, finding our wings as we go. And in a sense, this never stops—each new opportunity brings a fresh learning curve!
And this is powerful:
- You are dependent upon God’s grace and power
- Realizing you don’t “have it all together” fosters humility—and that’s a good thing!
- Dependence upon God pulls you back to prayer
You may not have sought change, but it hasn’t taken God by surprise. Right now, receive new wisdom from God.
5. Realize the Unfamiliar is Humbling, but it’s Where Miracles Happen
A new season often brings challenges.
We may have to learn new skills because our old methods are outdated.
What if, right now, God is calling you into something beyond your expertise?
This can be unsettling—honestly, really humbling.
- Maybe we don’t have all the answers
- Or face the challenge of picking up something we used to do
- We feel vulnerable and unprepared
- Perhaps we are stepping into visibility before we feel ready
I imagine Peter experienced this when he stepped out of the boat.
He started strong, but as soon as he focused on the wind and waves, he sank. Yet, Jesus immediately reached for him (Matthew 14:29-31).
Even when we falter, God delights in our obedience. He doesn’t expect perfection—He desires faith.
And that’s where the miracles happen.
Reflection
If you relate to this, here are some questions for reflection:
- Where is God calling you to trust Him in this season?
- Is there a step of faith you’ve been hesitating to take?
- Do you sense Him preparing a new path, even if you don’t see the full picture?
- What promise from His Word can you hold onto as you move forward?
Comment
I’d love to hear from you! What new step is God leading you into? Leave a comment below and let me know how I can pray for you in this season.
Notes:
[1] See this post, where I explain this: Novices in the New: God Has a New Normal For You
[2] I shared about this in my last blog post about Hunger for God
Related Posts:
- Open Door: How to Enter Your New Prophetic Season
- Novices in the New: God Has a New Normal For You
- How to Release Regret and Embrace Your New Season
A Fresh Season Unfolding: My Update
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Enliven Ministries: Prophetic ministry for a revival generation
Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in prophetic ministry and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog (est. 2009), an online resource that reaches thousands of people globally.
I can take this as another confirmation. I have been doing the same job for nearly twenty years. But, I feel now maybe a change is on the horizon. I’m 62 now, only 5 years off retirement so looking through natural eyes, it’s probably not the best thing to do. But one scripture I had was in Deuteronomy where it says You have dwelt on this mountain for far too long. Its time to break camp. Am I scared, yes. I can’t see the full picture but, I have to learn to trust. Thanks Helen, God Bless.
Jonathan
U.K
Jonathon that was a powerful word from Deuteronomy! When I read it my spirit leapt because I am believing that the Lord is leading you into new territory!
Hi Jonathan,
I pray the shape of the new comes into focus for you, and stirs your faith, so that you have assurance and confidence.
I’m remembering the new wine at Cana. John chapter 2 they said, “you have saved the best until now.!”
This word was on time and confirmatory for me. Thank You Helen for your diligence to the Word of God. In December the Lord told me to prepare my finances because it was time for me to buy a new house. I knew I was just finishing a season where I had traveled the world so I accumulated credit card debt for these God ordained ventures. So I assumed that I would just take this year to pay the debt off and prepare to buy a new house. Unbeknownst to me God opened a door for a house in January that I purchased in February. The house was a miracle and preparing it has thrust me into a faith walk I was not ready to be in. I wasn’t sure if I heard from God correctly since I just wasn’t financially prepared to make this move but the Holy Spirit said become a dependent on God and this word confirmed that for me that in this season I need to be a novice and dependent on Jesus preparing for me financially
May his favour bring forth much fruit, Yattah. I rejoice with you at this provision of a home. I pray his peace and blessing over you and that you locate the springs of provision God has for you
Hi Helen this word is spot on for me.
I’m currently wrestling with new job. Positions and my schedule is changing from full time mom to part time working out of the house.
This has been very much a shock to my system to go back out into the world and I’ve been wondering if I’m following gods will for me
It’s been awkward, challenging and hard. I’m still not completely clear on what God is leading me to at the moment.
Hi Kate,
He says in Psalm 23 that goodness and mercy follows all the days of our lives. How amazing that His grace follows us when we’re not sure whether we’re even doing the right thing! But God’s mercy manifests there. And I pray that for you you will find the rewards in your circumstances, unexpected fruit.
And wisdom to be able to manage, clarity to move forward.
Helen,
This message is very timely! Years ago called me to the prophetic ministry, but no one recognized or mentored me. Within the last ten years, the Lord renewed that calling. However, I’ve had to rely on ministries outside the local church, like yours for instruction and mentoring. Within the last three I resigned my position as an Elder within my local church to pursue this new ministry.
Your timely message gives a road map on how to walk this new path!
God bless you for all that you are contributing to the Body of Christ!
Oh may you be blessed Dennis, may God grace you with open doors of favour and wisdom for people to have around you and support.
May you have much fresh bread, life-giving words, to serve others!
Hi Helen, wow that i would receive this as I am now being called to step out and that this is my time. I’m being told warfare because of this is very intense. The enemy is trying to stop me. In the early hours I found out that my future husband who is my soulmate was in crash while in taxi in New York. His injuries are such that he cannot talk as he is on oxygen support. Dr reached out to me through his personal belongings.
I’m so sorry to hear this Debbie. We pray for God’s intervention and the injuries to miraculously heal. Lord send your angels into this situation and also for you, Debbie, the peace of God upon you. May it be like the boat in the storm where Jesus gave the word “be still.” And calm came.
Anyone who reads this, please agree in prayer <3
Bless you for this word and your obedience to the Lord because this word uplifted my Spirit. The warfare I have been facing has be relentless and I’m heading into transition and promise but the attacks have burnt me out in every area . Surrendering has been a battle in itself for me because I’m so use to fighting this warfare and I’m seeing the weight of the battle and am realizing this battle is the Lord. I still have fear and this is finally my season of the new . Please keep me and my little one in prayer and that I surrender so I can move forward not just for the promises but for the purpose I’m ordained for . Please pray the spirit of fear is released off of me for good because my heart wants to always be aligned to the will of the Lord. Thank you again for this word in the Lord and may the Lord continue to fill your cup!
Hi Trisha
I pray that weight of oppression falls off and you have a sense of freedom, that is your inheritance. May God’s blessing bring peace to your little one.
Malcolm and I have been teaching about the power of spoken blessing recently, and it’s been powerful, just came to mind for you.
https://www.enlivenpublishing.com/2015/06/02/the-prophetic-power-of-spoken-blessing/