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.
Good day Servant of God..!
I am delighted to be getting this post. I relate to this post in so many ways:
I am called to do charity work for the Kingdom of God, I don’t guess it but it has been confirmed. Now with this post you are adding to that. I’d like to answer the 4 questions you asked at the end of this post in their sequence:
1. God is calling me to trust Him with the supply of the resources that I need(Phil.4:19).
2. I haven’t been able to tithe and sow into the Kingdom of God and this hinders the quick move of the hand of God(Mal.3:9&10; Ezek.44:30; Lk.6:38).
3. I see God(through you as His Prophet) preparing new path even if I don’t see the picture(2 Chr.20:20). You have even quoted Ps.23:5 and I believe it and that cancels my doubts.
4. I am holding a promise and an instruction from the Word of God that I found in the last few days from the book of Deut.26:14.
I am asking you to pray for me in the area of partnership, I cannot do all this work by myself. I need good and trustworthy and dedicated partners in this ministry.
God bless you Helen.
Hello Mbuyiselwa, may you experience God’s favor in the area of relationships, alliances and partnerships. And I pray you have Divine wisdom as you move in what He has called you, in Jesus’ Name
Greetings Helen,
Thank you for your post. I relate to being unprepared in a new season. Please pray for me for strength and wisdom to accept my new normal. For healing of (spinal stenosis) and knee replacement.
I’m determined to rise up strong to continue to share the Word of God and keep up personal bible study and prayer ministry.
Thank you for your ministry.
God bless
Salome Mitchell
Hi Salome, yes, may you receive His abundant strength and wisdom, and healing of your spine and knee.
I felt His joy as I read your comment, I know God delights in you. May you know that delight increasingly, and the security that brings
A most timely word! Thank you! I have this year so far received new season words and a dream that point beyond what I can imagine. I’ve felt like I should know what the Lord is pointing me too, but have been left with not really knowing. I have just been taking whatever steps seem good as they come. That God wants us to be novices in the new and not experts in the old hit me like a wave of peace! If you can imagine it, its like being fully submerged and having no worries. In the natural this would be very worrisome! Hence something new that I don’t fully understand has become a bit worrisome, but this word has relieved what I don’t yet comprehend. Instead, I am filled with excitement.
This is wonderful Pat!
May that wave of peace become an anchorage of peace that you recall and return back to at faith-stretching times
This is RIGHT on time in our church. Our ministry team has been discussing this, praying into this new season and chewing on how different it is. Uncharted territory! Thank you for this word, your wisdom and insight. We NEED it!!
California, USA
Praying for you all Melissa, may there be reassurance and anticipation, blueprints from Heaven!
God knows the uncharted territory—He has gone before. It’s a miracle zone
Dear Helen,
Many thanks for your timely words. I am currently on long service leave leading into retirement. This is certainly a new direction for me. I have just completed a Diploma of Leadership, which took me two years of part-time study. I have a sense that God would like me to continue my studies, but there is no clear plan or word from God. So I will trust Him, that He will make a way possible and provide the finances, strength, and energy to continue on this journey / new direction.
Hi Anne,
May your way ahead be blessed, knowing it’s a good way, graced with His presence and bearing much fruit.
“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.”
Psalms 65:11, NLT
Supernatural greetings woman of God.
I couldn’t believe my eyes reading this message. This was on point to me personal. Suddenly My husband and I we are ordained as pastors and without even being ready we had lead a branch which really was so hard for me because my husband is working therefore I endup being the one who are hands on.
As the year started it really became a struggle but so peaceful through all challenges we face. So much stretch which sometimes I wish I can go and hide away as it seems I am unprepared for this responsibility. Thank God for this message it had given me courage to Trust and obey God on this new season We are in. May deepest cry is for ministry resources which it become so stressing when this are becoming so hard to fall into place.
Thanks
Hi Sibongile
That’s certainly a lot of change and responsibility all at once! I pray that you see the signs of God’s favor all around you, lives touched, provision released, internal resources, unity of heart and mind, in Jesus name.
“May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. May the Lord answer all your prayers.”
??Psalm 20:4-5, NLT