Have you ever found yourself in a place where the next step wasn’t clear... and the silence from heaven felt deafening? I have. Many times. And if you're honest, so have you.
Whether it’s a relationship that’s become confusing, a diagnosis you didn’t see coming, a financial hole you can’t climb out of, or a decision that seems too big to make, you’ve probably faced moments when you didn’t know what to do. It’s disorienting. Paralyzing. And if we’re not careful, it can lead us into fear, rash decisions, or complete spiritual fatigue. But I want to share something with you today, something I’ve had to remind myself during the toughest moments:
Not knowing what to do is not the same as having no direction.
The Bible is full of people who found themselves in that exact situation. And God met them, not always with immediate answers, but always with His presence and His Word.
6 Steps to Find Clarity in Confusion
1. Pause and Seek God's Face Before His Hand
Let’s be honest. We often approach God seeking solutions rather than relationship. However, in times when clarity is lacking, God invites us not into a plan, but into His presence. King Jehoshaphat provides one of the best examples of this in 2 Chronicles 20. He receives word that a vast army is approaching him, and he’s terrified. But instead of panicking, scheming, or relying on his own strength, the Bible says:
“Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord... and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.” - 2 Chronicles 20:3
And then comes this powerful admission:
“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” - 2 Chronicles 20:12
That is the posture of faith in the fog. When you’re unsure of what to do, take a moment to pause. Don’t rush. Don’t act just to feel productive. Seek God’s presence, not just His answers.
2. Remember What God Has Already Said
When you can’t hear God’s voice in the moment, refer back to what He has already said in His Word. The enemy loves to use confusion as a weapon. He’ll whisper, “See? God’s not talking. You’re on your own.” But that’s a lie. While the voice of God may seem quiet in your crisis, His Word is always alive and active.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” - Psalm 119:105
Notice that the lamp isn’t meant for the entire journey but for your feet. Sometimes God only provides enough light for the next step, not the whole staircase. This means we walk in trust, not with complete knowledge. When I’ve faced seasons of deep uncertainty, I’ve had to remind myself: What did God tell me in the light that I’m now doubting in the dark? Go back. Read it again. Anchor yourself there.
3. Surrender Control, Even When You’re Afraid
This might be the hardest step of all. Most of us think we trust God until He stops giving us details. But genuine faith begins when the details disappear. Proverbs 3:5- 6 doesn’t say, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and He will explain everything to you.” No—it says:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Leaning not on your own understanding means that your logic, your plan, and your timelines may not align with what God is doing—and that’s okay. It’s OK not to understand. What’s not okay is clinging so tightly to control that we forfeit our peace. Surrender is difficult. It’s a daily challenge. Sometimes, it’s even minute-by-minute. Yet, it’s sacred. Furthermore, it serves as the gateway to trust.
4. Obey the Last Instruction
I’ve learned: When I don’t know what to do next, I ask myself, “Did I fully obey the last thing God told me to do?” Obedience opens doors, while partial obedience keeps them shut. If God told you to forgive someone and you still hold onto the grudge, it’s no wonder you feel stuck. If He told you to step out but you’re still sitting back, maybe that’s why you feel confused. God is a good Father. He won’t give you additional revelation if you haven’t responded to what He’s already shown you.
So when in doubt, go back to the last clear instruction, and make sure you’ve been faithful there.
5. Wait Without Wasting the Wait
Sometimes we just have to wait. I don’t like it. You don’t like it. But the truth is, waiting is not weakness. It’s worship—when done in faith. Isaiah 40:31 doesn’t say those who rush will renew their strength. It says:
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles.”
What if the very thing you’re trying to escape—this fog, this limbo, this uncertainty—is where God is renewing you? What if the silence is building your spiritual strength? Waiting doesn’t mean doing nothing. It means doing what you know to do, while trusting God for what you don’t.
6. Surround Yourself with Truth-Tellers, Not Noise-Makers
When you’re confused, not every voice should get your ear. Some people will feed your fear. Others will fill your time with noise. But you need people who will point you back to God, not draw you away from Him. When Jehoshaphat prayed, he didn’t pray alone. He called for a fast and gathered the people, understanding that he was facing a battle too large to confront by himself.
When I don't know what to do, I call a friend who will pray and not panic. I open the Bible before I open my group text. You need truth-tellers on your side—people who will remind you who God is and who you are in Him when your emotions start shouting louder than your faith.
Faith in the Fog
Friend, if you’re in a season of uncertainty, breathe. You’re not alone. You’re not failing. And you’re not forgotten. God isn't waiting for you to figure everything out. He’s waiting for you to fix your eyes on Him. Let Him lead you, one lamp-lit step at a time. And remember: He is not the author of confusion, but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33).
You don’t need to know what steps to take to move forward. You just have to know who you’re following. Let Him be sufficient for now. He always is.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Ben Roberts Photography
Cynthia Garrett broke barriers when she became the first African American woman in the U.S. to host a network late-night show, NBC’s Later with Cynthia Garrett. She is currently seen on TBN and Salem Media networks, as well as on Fox News and other news outlets, addressing cultural issues and today’s news. The Cynthia Garrett Podcasts premiere weekly on all major podcast platforms.
A highly sought-after speaker, author, TV host, and ordained minister, Garrett is the author of The Naked Truth: Reclaiming Sexual Freedom in a Culture of Lies (2024), I Choose Victory: Moving from Victim to Victor (2020), and Prodigal Daughter: A Journey Home to Identity (2016). For more information, visit www.cynthiagarrett.org
