Risky Business: Embracing the Unknown as Personal Development

Our God seems to relish risk. The pages of scripture are lined with examples of people who fought and overcame, not because they appeared to have greater strength, power, or numbers. In fact, the littlest and least likely to succeed were often who God favored, the underdog over a stronger, seemingly bolder enemy.

In true form, both then and now, God knows what we don’t realize initially. When the odds of external evidence stack against us, He still causes us to win, placing us at an advantage over the enemy who sought to plunder us.

Sing a new song to the Lord, For He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him. — Psalms 98:1, NASB

Countless biblical examples reveal battle scenes and preparation where God’s people engage in unusual warfare strategies. Old Testament warriors would testify that victories were won as they sang, remained silent, marched, revisited a site or posture, or bathed in unlikely water bodies.

New Testament heroes would declare the miracles, signs, and wonders accompanying the transformation that turned the world upside down (Hebrews 2:4; Acts 17:6). God has been an expert at removing any advantages. He seems to want His people to avoid relying on natural strengths, but rather embody the riskiest business of all: to trust an unseen God.

Anxiety and the Unknown

In our times, God invites us to do the same. Threats of external danger and internal turbulence seem larger than life in our world, and we may experience anxiety. Those who have experienced its triggers are familiar with the signs and symptoms that vex our minds and agitate our bodies. Among them are clammy palms, perspiration, and heart palpitations that affect us physiologically. Mentally, we wrestle with brain fog and doubt our worth, abilities, and effectiveness.

Like the biblical heroes who conquered kingdoms, subdued evil, and advanced the gospel, we too, question how things will turn out. Wondering if we are truly called, we ask in secret if we have what it takes to do what God has called us into.

The queries that pelt us during restless nights and tug at the edge of our daytime thoughts are not new. God’s prophets and warriors spoke back to Him when He called them into their purpose. He answered with His Word, affirming their identity, despite their age, background, or perceived level of preparation.

Jeremiah felt disqualified because of his young age (Jeremiah 1:6-10). Gideon questioned the validity of being chosen as the least among his family in Israel’s weakest tribe (Judges 6:15-16). Joshua followed Moses’ steps to lead the children of Israel into the promised land and defeat its residents (Joshua 1:1-6). Like them, and many others in the halls of our biblical faith, we all have giants to conquer.

God-opportunities are usually embedded with challenges, but those obstacles never eclipse the reward of having taken the risk.

“For a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” — 1 Corinthians 16:9 NASB

There are valuable lessons that we can carry from the open doors that test our faith and sometimes incite anxiety. When we pair practical approaches and spiritual insight, we come away with strategies that will not only forge our faith, but also deepen our arsenal of winning habits.

The process of assessing and pursuing risk might initially set anxiety ablaze within us, but it also stretches and develops our character. As with our biblical predecessors, these are essential to experiencing the God.

Risk and Reward

Oxford’s definition of risk is paraphrased as a situation involving exposure to danger. We activate it when we position something or someone we value in position for peril, harm, or loss. It doesn’t mean that we intend to injure, but life demands intentional wagers to obtain certain rewards.

In fact, most anything that we want to accomplish or attain in life involves assessing risk, anticipating unknowns, and working with God to bring it to fruition. This is a part of our personal development as we learn, grow, and explore in childhood and adolescence. As we age and mature, it remains a part of our lives. We often shy away from risk in adulthood because we seek to mitigate inevitable pain, loss, and disappointment.

At times, fear barricades the benefits of risk. Its relatives- anxiety, worry, and stress – infiltrate our thoughts and emotions. We are cheated of rich experiences when we hesitate or refuse to pursue risk-laden opportunities.

Only God is guaranteed and constant. Yet, when we submit our hearts and our hopes to Him, we can build faith and expectancy in who He is, as we seek Him for where and how to take a faith risk. While we may not see the fruit of our dreams manifest precisely as we’d imagined, it is certain that when we invest nothing, we see no return.

Risk is required to gather all the good that God intended. We have to continually surrender our faith and confidence to the One who has already secured the best outcomes for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). That includes arresting harassing thoughts that threaten our views of self and God.

We have to supplant them with a positive mindset, anchored in scripture. Building up our spirit, fortifying our mind with the word of God, and entrusting our emotions to the Holy Spirit furnishes us with boldness and courage to step into the unknown with God (Jude 1:20).

Catch, Capture, and Carry

Twice, the gospels describe Jesus encouraging the fishermen in His company to launch into the deep for a catch. The first time they followed His instruction, the fishermen captured plenty, but their nets snapped (Luke 5:6). They might have wondered, “What does a carpenter know about catching fish?”

Similarly, we might also question when we feel disconnected or perceive that God is out of touch with what we need, think, and feel. However, He is more aware of us than we realize and invites us into the risks required to thrive in our purpose.

He is the same now as then, ready to respond to our yearning for meaning and fulfillment (Hebrews 13:8). He transforms ordinary moments into the miraculous with His presence. In this example, Jesus was not only the carpenter, but part of the Godhead who created the fish and fishermen.

After the Resurrection, the Messiah offered instruction in a similar situation, encouraging disciples to cast onto the right side of the boat (John 21:6). The nets held the haul, highlighting a contrast between their first and final experiences with Jesus’ fishing advice.

Wherever we are in our personal development, this illustration reveals that we also have the to mature and manifest significant outcomes when we take risks, as urged, encouraged, and supported by our Lord. Like the disciples, we can grow in our abilities to catch, capture, and carry lessons from the Savior’s spiritual and practical teaching.

We need expert resources when pursuing challenges and the wisdom to leverage the gifts that God has given. Above all, we need Him as our expert, the primary mentor who has walked the path and conquered as a champion (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus, our Savior’s words come alive with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives, breathes, and guides us through risk and reward.

Next Steps

God has already walked out each one of our days (Psalm 139:16). He connects us with earthly mentors, guides, and resources that will support and encourage us along our personal development journey.

We can also seek the assistance of a trained counselor to help us walk through our fears that keep us from God’s best intentions for us. Utilize the resources on this site to locate a counselor today. Anticipate the positive results proven by investing time and intention. However, the greatest reward awaits, emerging from the risk that you take to discover and develop you.