We have created a world of comfort that prevents us from experiencing true faith.
While that may seem like a harsh statement, I really feel it’s true.
We are all about making plenty of money, having plenty for retirement, pantries and refrigerators full of food that sometimes goes bad, recliners, TVs, information at our fingertips, movies, videos, and now AI that keep us from relying on God.
Now before you come at me, I’m just as much to blame for doing all of these things. It was not until my life crashed and God literally forced me to depend solely on Him that I discovered what true faith is. (I’m also not saying don’t be wise with your money, the Bible does say the borrower is slave to the lender.) But we’ve literally created a world—especially in America and other advanced countries—that makes it hard for us to see when God shows up.
Because it’s really not until you have no one or nothing to turn to but God that you experience that faith.
We like our comforts. We don’t like to feel uncomfortable. We don’t like to feel cold. We don’t like to feel hot. We don’t like to feel out of control. So, we work on controlling everything. We place our identities in the things we do, the things we have, and the people we’re around. We feed our souls with movies, videos, and TV shows that aren’t grounded in God’s Word.
Instead of going to the source of all we need, we look elsewhere.
Years ago I read a story about George Müller. He was a Christian evangelist in the 1800s who ran orphanages in Bristol, England, caring for thousands of orphans. What made him especially well-known was that he refused to ask people for money. Instead, he prayed—very specifically—for God to provide.
There are several famous stories where Müller would sit the children down at the table, pray for food, and then—right after—someone would knock at the door with bread, milk, or other supplies. One of the most well-known accounts involves a baker who felt prompted in the middle of the night to bake bread for the orphanage, and a milk cart that broke down right outside, forcing the milk to be donated before it spoiled.
Over his lifetime, George Müller:
• Cared for over 10,000 orphans
• Documented tens of thousands of answered prayers
• Never went into debt for the orphanages
• Used prayer as his primary means of provision
Most of us, myself included, can not fathom that kind of faith. But the longer I live, the more I want to know it.
This also reminds me of the Israelites, when they had to trust God for the manna from heaven every single day while in the wilderness. God asked that they trust Him just for each day and not hold onto any. When they did, it would have worms and be spoiled the next day.
Lesson: He wanted them to depend on Him daily.
His mercies are new every morning.
The less comfort we have, the more we have to depend on God. But even if we do have comforts (which I don’t believe are necessarily always a bad thing unless we idolize them or use them as our security instead of God), the ultimate question seems to be: are you willing to step out in faith?
Are you willing to do the thing that seems impossible?
Are you willing to step out even though you are fearful?
As my pastor said recently, we get over fear by living the crucified life, because when you are crucified and have died to yourself, you have nothing left to lose. You don’t have to worry about looking bad if you fail. It’s not about you—it’s about what God is going to do. But we become comfortable, apathetic, and complacent, which is exactly where Satan wants us.
He wants us to hang out in the comfortable part of life until we die. He can’t keep us out of heaven if we know Jesus, but he sure can keep us complacent and unable to do God’s work if we allow him to.
However, God didn’t call us to come and live, but to come and die, because it’s only once we’ve died that we are fully alive. As I discovered in my own life, you can know a lot about God and not truly trust God.
When starting my business and stepping out in faith, I remember saying to several people, “I just don’t want to fail.” But you know what? I stepped out in faith anyway and did what God called me to do. It was not easy. Heck, it was downright brutal. But you know what? My faith grew in ways it never could have if I had not stepped out in faith.
And that led to an amazing testimony of what God has done in my life. He gets the glory.
I’m going to leave you with this challenge today:
What step of faith is God asking you to take? It may not be starting a business. It may not be something that appears really big, but what is the next step of faith you need to take?
Do you need to share the gospel with someone God has laid on your heart?
Do you need to tackle that past trauma you’ve been avoiding?
Do you need to trust Him with your health and stop trying to do it all on your own?
Do you need to believe that He can do more in your life?
What is the simple step of faith you need to take today?
I can promise you, once you take it, God will blow your mind with what He will do—and next year at this time, you’ll look back and see how your faith grew.
This video was another go to for me over the past couple of years since it was released. I pray it blesses you today.
How do I remember these great tidbits God laid on my heart during sermons? I take notes! Have you seen my sermon notes journals yet? Grab one to help you hold onto those great nuggets God shares with you each Sunday too.
© 2026 All Rights Reserved. Susan M. Clabaugh with Encouragement in Daily Living LLC
Embracing the Journey: A 30-Day Devotional for Living in the Joy of Christ in this Season
No matter what season of life you find yourself in—whether it’s loss, change, or new beginnings—God is still writing your story.
For 30 days, Susan will gently guide you to go deeper in your relationship with God through heartfelt reflections, scripture-based encouragement, and practical steps for daily renewal. Drawing from her own experiences in life’s hard seasons, she offers hope-filled devotionals that invite you to pause, reflect, and rediscover the steadfast joy that only Christ can bring.
Whether you’re navigating job loss, retirement, an empty nest, grief, or transition, Embracing the Journey reminds you that God’s faithfulness never fades—and that beauty and purpose can be found in every chapter of your life.
More info →
Women’s 52-Week Sermon Notes Journal – Red Floral: Record Sermons, Scriptures & Reflections to Deepen Your Faith
Capture the words that move your heart, the verses that speak to your soul, and the prayers that shape your week—all in one beautiful journal designed to deepen your walk with God.
Feel inspired after church—but forget the message by Monday? The 52-Week Sermon Notes Journal helps you hold onto every truth that touches your heart. With guided pages for sermon details, key Scriptures, reflections, and personal prayers, this elegant faith journal turns listening into lasting growth. Perfect for Sunday services, Bible studies, or devotion time, it invites you to record, reflect, and respond to God’s Word each week. Thoughtfully designed with a soft matte cover and organized layout, it’s a meaningful tool for deepening your faith—or a perfect gift for the women in your life who love God’s Word.
More info →
Women’s 52-Week Sermon Notes Journal: Record Sermons, Scriptures & Reflections to Deepen Your Faith
Capture the words that move your heart, the verses that speak to your soul, and the prayers that shape your week—all in one beautiful journal designed to deepen your walk with God.
Feel inspired after church—but forget the message by Monday? The 52-Week Sermon Notes Journal helps you hold onto every truth that touches your heart. With guided pages for sermon details, key Scriptures, reflections, and personal prayers, this elegant faith journal turns listening into lasting growth. Perfect for Sunday services, Bible studies, or devotion time, it invites you to record, reflect, and respond to God’s Word each week. Thoughtfully designed with a soft matte cover and organized layout, it’s a meaningful tool for deepening your faith—or a perfect gift for the women in your life who love God’s Word.
More info →
Leave a Reply