(This first published on July 11, 2020.)

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We’ve all sensed God nudging us to do something that appeared to make no sense. Maybe we sensed Him to pray for a stranger, speak certain words to a friend, or step into an area that you feel countless others in your circle would be more qualified for.

How do you respond in those situations? When you sense that nudge into the unknown, what fears most often hold you back? That you’ll fail? That you’ll embarrass yourself? That you’ll be misjudged or misunderstood? That you’ve heard God wrong and therefore will be venturing forward alone?

Years ago, after Wholly Loved’s first women’s conference, a woman approached me. Standing in that busy and noisy atrium, though I struggled to understand her words, her eyes and voice carried an unmistakable intensity. God had gripped her heart that day and planted within her the first seeds of her assignment. He wanted her to speak for Him.

But here’s the thing. At the time, she could barely speak. She’d suffered two back-to-back strokes less than a year prior, strokes that should’ve taken her life but instead, stole her mobility and her speech. By the time of the conference, she’d relearned how to walk, but was in the midst of retraining her brain to talk. As a result, she stammered and stuttered significantly through each sentence.

God was calling this woman, who could barely get her words out that afternoon, to stand on a stage and speak for Him. Can you imagine the inner angst, the wrestling, the questions that must’ve swirled through her brain as she sat in the audience, sensing God’s call? Maybe even fighting His call? The call to speak in general, but also the call to speak to me that day? Even if she was convinced, without a doubt, that God was asking her to do both, she had to worry how I might respond. At least, I would’ve. And then, assuming I got up and began to put feet to His call, I worry I would’ve talked myself out of obedience with every step I took.

But not Sarah Conaway, tri-founder of Stromies, a ministry to stroke survivors. She rose on her less-than-steady legs, navigated around the throng of women gathering in the atrium, waited in line to talk to me, and then looked me in the eye and boldly said, “I want to do what you do.” She wanted to share her story, to proclaim, to whomever would listen, all that God had done.

The woman who was struggling to speak and likely had moments when she wondered if she’d be able to do so coherently ever again, wanted to publicly speak for Jesus.

That was less than five years, and God has done amazing things during that time. Sarah is indeed speaking for Him. Her story has quite literally reached across the globe. Her ministry has nearly 2,500 Instagram followers and 1,300 followers on Facebook. She’s spoken at Rotary, Kiwanis clubs, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, was interviewed on her local Channel 3 station, and has spoken to numerous support groups.

And all because, even when obedience made no sense, she told God yes.

What’s God asking you to do? What’s hindering your obedience? Give those fears, all of them, to God. Give Him all your doubts, then, after you’ve done so, give Him your obedience. Your surrender, trusting your faithful, loving God to lead you to His very best.

Visit Sarah’s ministry HERE and find Stromies on Facebook HERE. Watch for Jennifer Slattery’s upcoming Thriving With Chronic Illness to hear her full story and how God’s using her. If you’re sensing a nudge from God but are struggling to find the courage to move forward, make sure to listen to Jennifer’s Faith Over Fear Episode on fighting fear of failure. You can find it HERE.

For those looking for perfect, timeless Father’s Day gifts, read her latest article on iBelieve HERE.

How to Experience God's Presence When You Feel a Mess (ft. Stasi Eldredge) – Faith Over Fear

Have you ever felt like everyone else experiences a deeper connection with God than you do? You pray, read Scripture, and seek Him, yet struggle to sense His presence or experience His love beyond an intellectual understanding. This can leave you wondering if you're doing something wrong or if something within you is preventing you from drawing closer to Him. But what if past wounds, shame, and self-protective habits are creating barriers you don't even recognize? In this episode of Faith Over Fear, Jennifer Slattery talks with bestselling author Stasi Eldredge about moving from knowing about God to experiencing His love in a deeply personal way. Drawing from her own journey and her book The Ladder of Love, Stasi shares how God met her in a season of shame, how emotional wounds can hinder our ability to receive His affection, and how vulnerability can open our hearts to greater intimacy with Him. They also discuss what to do when God feels absent, why spiritual intimacy develops over time, and how to continue pursuing Him even when you can't sense His presence. Subscribe to Jennifer's newsletter for a chance to win her 20-gift giveaway bundle! Resource referenced: The Ladder of Love: A Pathway to Emotional Healing and Spiritual Intimacy with Jesus by Stasi Eldredge Scripture Referenced or Discussed: Song of Songs 1:15; Mark 12:29–30; James 4:8; Revelation 3:20; Mark 5:25–34; Hebrews 13:5; Philippians 2:12; 1 Peter 5:8 Connect with Stasi Eldredge: On her and her husband's website On Instagram On Facebook Find her work on Amazon Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter     Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

1. How to Experience God's Presence When You Feel a Mess (ft. Stasi Eldredge) 35:03
2. Hearing God: How to Move Forward in Confidence When You’re Unsure 34:55
3. When God Seems Silent: How to Trust He's Still Near 35:00
4. When You Fear You'll Miss God's Will: How to Hear Him with Confidence 38:03
5. Does it Feel Like You Can't Hear God? Practical Steps to Increase Spiritual Sensitivity 36:42