What Happens When You Take a Simple Step in Faith
Isn’t it amazing how God’s wisdom proves true long before science catches up? Time and again, modern research confirms what God has been teaching His people for thousands of years. Take gratitude, for instance—scientists have only recently discovered what Scripture has always known: actively practicing gratitude leads to more contentment and fewer struggles with anxiety and depression. It’s a powerful weapon against the kind of negativity that steals our joy and sends us spiraling into unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors.
I learned this truth deeply during one of the darkest seasons of my life. 2022 hit our family like a storm—my father went home to be with Jesus after months of illness, my mother was battling early-stage Alzheimer’s, and instead of drawing together, our family seemed to fracture under the weight of grief. Add my son’s multiple basketball injuries, my daughter’s struggles with her disabilities, and my own chronic health battles—it felt like the enemy was attacking from every direction.
When Gratitude Feels Impossible
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances,” but in that season, gratitude felt like climbing Mount Everest. My anxiety soared, grief consumed me, and my body responded with increasing pain and weight gain. I was drowning in darkness until God gently revealed what I’d forgotten: the simple practice of giving thanks.
You see, sometimes we think our situation is too big and overwhelming to do anything about. We cry out, “God, make it better!” while burying our heads in the sand, hoping everything somehow improves on its own. But what I’ve learned is that while God absolutely meets us where we are, He invites us to partner with Him by taking a step toward Him.
For me, that step was almost laughably simple: thanking God for the day He set before me, prior to my feet hitting the floor each morning. It seemed so small and inconsequential in the face of such overwhelming challenges. But God had revealed to me my lack of gratitude and how I’d let good habits fade. He was meeting me in that pit with those revelations. So, my part of this beautiful partnership we have with Christ was to do something with that revelation. It meant taking a step, no matter how small, in obedience.
God’s Divine Multiplication
Proverbs 17:22 reminds us that “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” God, in His infinite wisdom, knew that gratitude would be the medicine my crushed spirit needed.
What happened next can only be described as God’s divine multiplication. That one act of morning gratitude began rewiring my brain’s chemistry for the better, opening my eyes to other blessings throughout my days. As I noticed and thanked God for these moments, my heart softened enough to let others into my pain. These people became God’s hands and feet, ministering to me in ways only He knew I needed.
One faithful step multiplied into a thousand more. Better morning routines. More walks. Connecting with a naturopath who helped get my health back on track. The weight began falling away, and anxiety’s grip loosened. Months later, I found myself healthier than I’d been in years, experiencing a deeper joy and richer community than before.
This journey taught me a profound truth: God is faithful to multiply our steps of obedience, no matter how small they seem.
Later that year, I was inspired to create a 21-Day Biblical Gratitude Challenge for my readers and was amazed by the response. Today thousands of women have downloaded my free 21-Day challenge and reset themselves with it each year. They have found more hope … all because God so generously revealed my lack and multiplied my efforts toward that one small step in faith. And friend, I promise you that what He has done for me, He will most certainly do for you!
Whatever mountain you’re facing today, don’t let its size paralyze you. Listen for that gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit showing you the one small step you can take. Then watch in wonder as our faithful God multiplies that step into a path of transformation you never thought possible.
Meet Lori Schumaker
Lori Schumaker’s life story embodies the phrase “unveiled hope.” As both a Life and Mental Health Coach, as well as a writer, speaker, teacher, and creator, she gently guides women through the complexities of life with grace, hope, and resilience. Her own journey through the pain of abortion, and the subsequent cycle of shame and insecurity that followed, left her feeling shattered and unable to move forward. Yet, anchored by her faith in Christ and armed with practical strategies, Lori has found strength and redemption. The adversities that once sent her spiraling are now her testimony to the power of Jesus.
Armed with a Master’s in Education, her coaching certifications, and over two decades of ministry experience, Lori guides others toward unveiling their hope, healing their hearts, and moving forward with confidence. She provides the practical tools, inspiration, and teaching needed for this journey through her award-winning blog, Unveiling Hope. She is also a wife, adoptive, biological, and special needs mom, and a woman who reflects her Creator’s love.
Lori also writes for various online publications and books, speaks at local and national events and podcasts, hosts Unveiling Hope retreats, and authored the award-winning personal adoption memoir, Surrendered Hearts: An Adoption Story of Love, Loss, and Learning to Trust.
Where to find her . . .
Begin Within is a series to inspire a year-round lifestyle of gratitude that will impact not only your own life, but the lives of your neighbors as well. Gratitude is a theme we talk about often around here because it ties so closely into other missional living rhythms. Practicing gratitude reminds to keep our hearts soft and expectant and our eyes open. Therefore, the more we embrace gratitude, the easier it becomes to truly see our neighbors and where we can join what God is already doing in our neighborhoods.
If you would like to contribute to Begin Within, you can find the submission guidelines here.
