If I'm being completely honest, as a whole, Christians annoy the fire out of me. I realize that sounds a bit harsh and confusing given that I am a Christian myself, but let me explain.

The stereotypical Christian is seen as oblivious to the real world, offering formulaic advice, and often over complicate things. That's how the world sees us, and if I'm being honest I don't really blame them because I see it all the time as well. But, if anything out of those three annoys me the most, it's the latter. I've found that over the years, as Christians we overcomplicate life and that's a problem because most of the time the rules and formulas we've put in place aren't even Biblical at all; they're just pieces of advice that may have worked for us that we've coined as equal if not more important to follow than the Bible.

One of the biggest things we've overcomplicated is prayer vs. action. Often times when making a tough decision, we are quick to offer the trite advice, "Just pray about it and trust God," without acknowledging the other very real aspect to it: action. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that we should not step out in faith and make some moves nor does it say that doing so means that we have less faith. In fact, often times God works through our risks and actions. Why have we pitted the two against each other as if they're opposites? Aren't they more likely to be successive steps than anything else?

For example. If we're unemployed and praying for a job, can we honestly say we are wavering in our faith if we apply for said job? Can God lay it on a boss's heart to just randomly call us up and offer us a job miraculously? Certainly, but more often than not, God's miracles come in the mundane. God's miracles come after the first step. And by our sitting around and waiting without proactive action, I would argue that we are living in an illusion that we are trusting God, when in reality we are really just trusting our fear. I know this because this is how I live. I live in fear of what MIGHT happen.

I once heard fear described as being wrapped in bubble wrap: it protects you from harm, but restricts your movement. Check out this short video from my pastor to see what I mean.




You see, fear says, "Better not apply for that job because I don't want to be disappointed if I don't get it."
Fear says, "Better not tell that person how I feel about them because the last time I did that, I got rejected."
Fear often uses prayer as a cop out for action. And that's exactly where the enemy wants you because he will twist good things to get you stuck where you are. Is it good to pray first? Absolutely. Please don't misunderstand me. But is it also sometimes good to go out on a limb, take a risk, and trust God through the process? Yes.

Save the times God comes through in the miraculous...

You can't get that job if you don't apply.
You can't get that guy/girl if you don't take a risk and tell them how you feel.
You can't get your dream house if you never go looking for it.
You can't have kids if you don't...well you know.

Taking a [healthy] risk is Biblical. God never said, "Thou shalt not text him/her first," or "Blessed are those who sit in their house and wait for a job to drop out of the sky." Jesus called Peter to take action to step out of the boat. THEN the miraculous happened. What if the miracle isn't in how the process is initiated, but rather what happens after you take that step?

Let's not over complicate this; let's be bold. If you want it and your heart has been aligned with God's word on it, then please for the love of God (and your sanity) go for it. If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten. Pray, listen for God's voice, and then go out there and do it.