Several years ago, I had a ministry opportunity come calling. Literally.

That was the first time I realized how much I struggled with taking risks for God.

After spending days analyzing the possible outcomes of stepping out in faith, I withdrew. Remember our devotion last week? The one about Abigail and her bold action? I guess you could say I did just the opposite of what Abigail would do, but I also learned something important about myself. I wanted to discover how to become a woman who isn’t afraid to take a risk when God asks.

So I began with a question:

What am I afraid will happen if I take this risk?

Fear is a wicked foe in our lives. It comes in disguised as other things. We may believe we’re proceeding with caution or using discernment, both of which are good things. So how do we know what is holding us back? How do we separate an unholy fear from the Holy Spirit’s promptings to stay put?

Thankfully, we can look to God’s Word and pray for guidance. He is faithful to lead us and give us peace, whether we take the risk or see warning signs ahead.

A Woman Who Trusted God with Her People

When I asked myself the question above, the answer became clear. I was afraid of how my decision would affect my family. And although it’s wise for us to consider how open doors will affect our loved ones, we can’t give into fear over their future. We need to trust God with the people we love most when we move ahead with His calling.

One woman in the Bible who demonstrated trusting God with her people was named Joanna. She took a risk, even when it could’ve meant life or death. Her story gives us a great example of risk-taking faith.

“Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager...” Luke 8:1-3 NLT

Joanna’s name is only mentioned briefly in Scripture. But the words used to describe her show her willingness to go where her Savior led and help in whatever way she could. Joanna was among the devoted women who traveled with Jesus during his time on earth. She either had a terrible disease or was overcome by evil spirits. Jesus healed her, restored her, and accepted her.

Most amazing of all, Joanna supported Jesus and the apostles “out of her own means,” (Luke 8:3). Why was this such an integral detail in Joanna’s story? Joanna had connections with Herod the Tetrarch. Her husband Chuza held an important job at the palace. He was Herod’s household manager - his right hand man.

We remember Herod the Tetrarch as the one responsible for having John the Baptist beheaded. Luke 23:11 reveals how he treated Jesus. “Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him.” Yet the wife of the man appointed to oversee his entire estate faithfully followed Jesus.

She also supported Jesus’ ministry with her family’s finances. Joanna’s role in Jesus’ ministry was a risk, but her connections to the palace didn’t deter her from her calling. She gladly risked it all for her Lord.

God rewarded Joanna for her dedication. She was among the first to see the empty tomb and learn that Jesus Christ - her Healer and Deliverer - had risen, just as he promised. Instead of caving to fear, Joanna trusted God to take care of her and her people.

God is faithful. When we feel compelled to take a risk for Him, we can trust Him with our family’s future.

Blessings,

Kristine

A portion of this devotion is an excerpt from an article by Kristine Brown, “3 Women in the Bible Who Took a Big Risk,” originally published on Crosswalk.com.

Risk-takers. They’re willing to kick fear aside and take on challenges, regardless of the outcome. They say yes without hesitation. And when a situation seems hopeless, they trust God’s guidance even more.

I’ve always wanted to be a risk-taker. Still, even though I long to be brave for God, fear holds me back every time I get an opportunity to take a risk.

Maybe you’ve been there too. You feel compelled to move forward, but fear surfaces and persuades you to stay put. It presents the same old argument. It’s not safe. As if that weren’t enough, it convinces you it wouldn’t make a difference anyway. And if you’re like me, you give in.

Thankfully, the Bible teaches us a lot about ordinary women who took big risks for God. At that critical moment when a decision had to be made, they chose to take the risk. And the results made history.

A Woman Who Risked Her Safety, Her Home, and Her Heart

Desperate situations called for extreme measures. Abigail knew this well. When her husband Nabal hurled an insult at David, the future king, “Abigail acted quickly.” (1 Sam. 25:18).

This was not your average insult either. David came to Nabal requesting food for his army. Nabal not only rejected the request, but he also lowered David’s name to a place of dishonor. “Who is this David?” The words left a sting so poisonous David felt his only recourse was retaliation. He set out to kill Nabal and all his men.

In spite of her husband’s bad choice, Abigail jumped into action. Nabal would never have consented to Abigail’s decision. Because of this, she moved forward in secret, “...under cover of the mountain,” (1 Sam. 25:20).

Abigail’s name means “the joy of her father.” No doubt she brought joy to her Heavenly Father that day when she offered the best gifts to David.

Abigail knew the wisdom of Proverbs 21:14, “A gift given in secret soothes anger…” She presented her gifts to David in the most submissive, respectful way. She bowed down in his presence to ask forgiveness on behalf of Nabal. (1 Sam. 25:23)

David was so moved by Abigail’s eloquent speech, he thanked God for sending her. God honored her courage by bringing justice upon Nabal while keeping David free from the burden of “needless bloodshed.” (1 Sam. 25:31).

Abigail risked her relationship with her husband to defuse a deadly situation. Her safety, her home, and her heart were saved because she trusted God.

The One Thing That Holds Us Back from Taking a Risk

I can imagine the million and one questions going through my head if I’d been in Abigail’s situation. Trying to work through every detail, analyzing each outcome. Until finally I give up, realizing the whole thing is too overwhelming to deal with.

The truth is, I want to know the outcome before I take the risk.

But if we knew how everything would turn out, it wouldn’t be a risk at all. The problem with this pattern is that it holds us back from developing the kind of bold faith God wants to see in us. The kind of faith that makes a difference in our lives and our world.

Bold faith happens when we learn to take risks for God.

Is there an area of your life where you’ve sensed God nudging you to take a step of faith? Have you been holding back, questioning the outcome of taking that step?

Friend, I wish I could tell you if now is the right time to take the risk. But only YOU can decide if God is guiding you that direction.

I can tell you this. When you commit your step to the Lord, He will give you the next one, and the next, and the next.

“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3 NIV

We will be looking at what the Bible says about having risk-taking faith all this month in our weekly devotions. Watch for my email reminders each Monday morning in your inbox, because even us risk-takers could all use a little reminder now and then:)

Blessings,

Kristine

A portion of this devotion is an excerpt from an article by Kristine Brown, “3 Women in the Bible Who Took a Big Risk,” originally published on Crosswalk.com.