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
As 2025 begins, I find myself stepping into a “new again” season—one filled with gratitude, fresh vision, and new challenges.
February marked 14 years since Prophet David and Margaret McCracken invited me to join their team. I honor their faith and generosity, which have been a foundation for Enliven Blog’s journey.
I also want to honor my partners. Your prayers and donations make a real difference—thank you!
This year, Malcolm and I celebrate 42 years of marriage and decades in ministry.
- I sense a fresh call to step up in key areas: relaunching video content and courses, publishing my new book on character for emerging leaders, expanding missions in Asia (Malcolm), and stepping deeper into preaching and training.
A new chapter is unfolding, and I’d love to share more with you. I invite you to read the full update here on my Partners Updates page.
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© 2025 Helen Calder, Enliven Blog
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.
We stepped out 2 1/2 yrs ago. It has been a very Abrahamic walk taking it step by step and learning not to worry about details that are out of our control. We left jobs, sold home, moved to new state knowing no one…all the while following His lead. Aug of last year…He began a shift…almost like gearing us up for our release when we will start walking in what He has sent us to this new place to accomplish. Pressing and stretching ramped up…it has been so intense from Aug ‘24 to now. He literally told me prophetically thru my pastor’s wife in Aug to “burn up my roadmap because it isn’t going to go the way I think”. That truth was crucial to us being able to follow His lead. If I hadn’t done that – I wouldn’t have followed Him cause the path He has us on doesn’t look like anything I envisioned. I have said so many times “what’s wrong with me? I feel like a baby learning to walk again.” God used this blog today to show me clearly…all that I am experiencing is normal, part of the process, and I am in His will, and following His lead. I have not lost my way. And that this time of seclusion He has had me in is for preparation and positioning. Thank you for faithfully listening and speaking the Father’s heart to us. God bless you in your new endeavors with Him!
Hello Joy,
That is a lot of change and no wonder you feel that way.
I pray delight will be your portion and you will soon discover the feast He has for you.
Love this from the MSG paraphrase
“This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!” (Rom 8:15-17, MSG)
I’ve been so hesitant to enter my new season and go to a new church that is very different to what i am used to.I have to leave behind friends and the familiar and I have gone back and forth
Hi Pauline, I pray you experience the peace of God. While we feel wobbly, He gives us such grace in times of transition.
May you discover your flourishing place.
This a timely word for me. God is transitioning me to a new place—both spiritually and physically. I’m moving away from everything and everyone I know to follow Him. Initially, this gave be extreme anxiety as there are so may aspect of my life that were legitimate excuses to think I missed God, but He kept confirming and I kept hearing so I determined in my heart to obey Him, but I have no idea how to accomplish this move. I’m at a complete disadvantage financially and I don’t know of a way to make it work; however, I’ve determined in my heart to obey Him and I’ve releasing the anxiety and resting in my Father’s ability to provide for me.
Please pray for me. Pray that my heart would be at peace and rest, trusting The Lord to perform His word. Pray that I would not give into a performance spirit or the spirit of anxiousness but instead cast my cares on The One who cares for me.
Thank You,
Hi Darrel, amen to that
That’s a lot to take on! I pray you have great peace in the midst of this uncertainty. And find those refreshing ‘stations’ along the way, along with pockets of provision, as you discover his pathway for you, legacy relationships, along with new streams of provision.
This word is so relevant for me as my husband and I feel led to move across the country and move into the new season God has for us. He has stripped me of everything over the past year and has prepared me for this moment. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Olivia, that is such a huge move. I pray you have peace along with the assurance that God has got this. He is the author and finisher of your faith.
May you and your husband be blessed and positioned for fruitfulness.
Hey Helen and Malcolm!
Congratulations on the 42 years guys! Amazing, and thanks for your inspiring obedience in this work. It’s exciting to think of what you are feeling led into in this next season.
There has been a lot happening recently for us here. The word is so encouraging because for Ros and I, there is a sense of a stirring but we have really little sense of what to do than just prepare ourselves to listen. We are returning to some former words, tuning into stories and things that inspire us, and seeking to engage in opportunities that will help us gauge what we need to do.
So, an encouraging word. Thank you once more.
Really appreciate you both and the partners update too!
Every blessing,
Sashi
Hi Sashi,
It’s so great to hear from you. I have been wondering how you are going.
I pray you and Ros capture the heart of the Father for you in this season. And that you will not only find the opportunities, but the opportunities will seek out you! Let it be, in Jesus name.
I needed to hear this today. We have sold our big house and downsizing into an apartment for now. We move at the end of the month. We sense God is calling us to Portugal and waiting on Him for the perfect timing. Doors are already beginning to open . Thank you for this word.
God bless you Olga, may it be a wide-open opportunity, and His timing be clear. I pray you have a great sense of His peace and anticipation in the midst of this big change