Small Steps of Faith Can Build Big Kingdom Impact in Everyday Life
Can I tell you something upfront? It’s so easy to feel like small steps of faith don’t matter much. Like, if it’s not a giant leap or some big accomplishment, it can’t possibly have much impact. But what if that’s not true at all?
In our recent podcast episode, I shared a story about what I call “the yes, but not quite season.” It’s that awkward, in-between spot where you know God has nudged you, but everything around you still looks unfinished. Maybe you’re in that same place, finding faith after loss. Let’s put this right out in the open: Those little nudges? They count for so much more than we think, and Christian community for women can surround you.
Why Small Steps of Faith Matter More Than We Think
Here’s the thing. We wait for big signs or perfect conditions before acting, but faith grows most in the moments when we choose small steps—especially when we think no one notices trusting God through waiting. You see, God isn’t waiting for us to be ready, polished, or somehow finally enough. Small steps of faith move things in heaven and on earth.
I remember when I sat on my couch, overwhelmed and unsure, knowing that God had called me to step into something totally new. All I had was obedience and a lot of questions. But sending out just one email of encouragement, sharing a single story, or saying yes to a coffee with someone who needs support—that's where small steps of faith begin finding God in hard times.
Do You Feel Disqualified by Small Beginnings?
So many of us count ourselves out. Maybe you wonder if your story is "big" enough to be used, and dealing with doubt as a Christian when no one else believes in your calling is part of that uncertainty. Let me assure you, your steps, even the messy ones, count, including forgiving without reconciliation. Scripture is filled with reminders that God works best with small, humble beginnings, a truth you can reinforce with spiritual self care tips for building strength in difficult seasons. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 (CSB), it says, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.'" Even in the tiniest yes, God does something beautiful, deepening relationship with God.
How Small Acts Grow Into Big Kingdom Impact
Let me tell you about my first step toward growing faith through homeschooling. It honestly wasn’t big. I took a devotional I found at the store and just started sharing little bits of it over email. It wasn’t even my own writing at first. All it was? The willingness to send out a blessing every morning, praying someone would feel encouraged. Those daily seeds, those small steps of faith, became devotionals, conferences, courses, and, now, even this podcast community. It surprised me how God multiplies our yes when we offer it open-handedly.
What Does Small Faithfulness Look Like?
Most of the time, it’s exactly what you’re already doing. Smiling at someone in the grocery line. Sending a text to check in on a friend. Sitting quietly with someone who is hurting. Praying for your kids while doing laundry. These acts stacked one on top of another become a trail of faithfulness. They matter more than you see right now.
- Starting a Bible study with a few friends
- Volunteering for one Saturday afternoon
- Writing one uplifting sentence in a card
- Telling your child "You did great today"
- Choosing forgiveness even when it’s hard
Every single one is a small step of faith. Each creates a ripple you’ll probably not see this side of heaven.
What Holds Us Back From Obedience in Small Steps of Faith?
Let’s talk about the real stuff that makes us hesitate. Sometimes it’s fear of not being enough. Sometimes it’s the voice that says, “You’re not qualified.” Or maybe there’s just no visible fruit—yet. I spent years thinking I had to wait until I was perfectly equipped to serve. But God never waited for my perfection. He waited for my surrender. Sometimes that surrender looked like tears, late-night prayers, or rewriting devotional emails for the hundredth time. Still, every little yes mattered.
Can Small Steps Really Change a Life?
Absolutely. I’ve watched small steps of faith lead to changed hearts, new friendships, and even spiritual breakthroughs for women who just needed someone to say, “Me too.” The point isn’t the size of your action. It’s who is holding it with you. We serve a God who multiplies every seed we entrust to Him, even the smallest ones.
How to Start Saying Yes to Small Steps of Faith (Even If You’re Nervous)
Here’s where I want to put your heart at ease. You don’t have to have a 10-year plan. You just need a willing heart for today. If you’re shaking or unsure, it’s okay. God honors willingness before skill or polish. Here’s what helps me start each time:
- Ask God for one next step. Not the whole picture. Just one little thing.
- Take action, even if your voice or hands are shaking.
- Share your step with a trusted friend who will pray with you.
- Remember that every yes, big or small, counts toward something eternal.
- Don’t wait until you feel ready. As I said in the podcast, you are already chosen and equipped with the Spirit in you.
Scripture Encouragement For Small Steps of Faith
Let’s anchor this with a reminder from Ephesians 2:10 (CSB): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do." All those small steps of faith? God already prepared good things for you, right in your everyday life. You just get to walk in them.
How Our Community Grows Stronger Through Everyday Obedience
This isn’t just about us. Each act of obedience strengthens our faith community. When you do one small thing in love, it gives someone else courage to do the same. Maybe it’s through encouraging words, showing up for a service project, or just listening to someone’s hard day. The more we practice these small steps of faith together, the more we reflect God’s kindness in the world around us.
What I Learned From My "Yes, But Not Quite" Seasons
Looking back, I needed those in-between times. My small steps were never wasted. Every delay, every “not yet” built patience and trust. It’s okay for things to unfold slowly. God often does His best work through our persistence in the quiet and our faithfulness when no one sees. If you want to hear more about my "yes, but not quite" seasons, you can listen to the full podcast episode or check out past blog posts about the process (listen here).
What’s Your Small Step of Faith Today?
This is where we get practical. What is one thing you can say yes to today, even if it seems too little to matter? Maybe it’s starting a prayer journal, calling that friend, helping someone in your neighborhood, or joining a church group for the first time. There’s no perfect way. You don’t need a big stage or audience. God uses every yes.
I love hearing from our community when you step out. Let me know what small steps of faith you’re taking this week. I’m cheering you on, always.
And if you’re still in the “not quite” part of your story, take heart. God’s not done. The waiting seasons prepare us, but our willingness in the little things is what grows big Kingdom impact over time.
Takeaways For Everyday Life
- Start with whatever God puts in front of you
- Don’t compare your step to anyone else’s
- Trust that God multiplies small obedience
- Stay connected to others for encouragement
- Keep your focus on faithfulness, not perfection
If you want more encouragement, tune in to the full episode of "The Yes, But Not Quite Season" and check out some of our other stories on real faith and practical living. Our community grows stronger with every small yes. Let’s put these perspectives into practice together.
