One of the hardest realities about following God’s will for your life is coming to terms with the fact that not everyone will understand your journey—or agree with it. You might feel called to make a decision that defies logic, challenges expectations, or even upsets the status quo. And if you’re not careful, the fear of being misunderstood can paralyze you, keeping you from stepping out in obedience to God’s call.
But here’s the truth: God’s call is not up for committee approval.
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is full of stories of people who were misunderstood, doubted, or outright rejected because they dared to follow God’s direction. Let’s dive deeper into what we can learn from their stories—and how they challenge us to obey God no matter the cost.
When God called Abraham to leave his homeland, family, and everything familiar to journey to an unknown land (Genesis 12:1), it must have seemed crazy to those around him. Who leaves their entire life behind without knowing where they’re going? Abraham did. Why? Because God’s promise was worth more to him than human approval.
His obedience reminds us that following God often means stepping into the unknown, trusting that His plans are better than our own—even if no one else understands.
Moses is another powerful example of misunderstood obedience. When he returned to Egypt to lead the Israelites out of slavery, his own people doubted him. His leadership was questioned repeatedly, even though he was following God’s explicit instructions.
Moses reminds us that even when we’re following God’s call, we may encounter resistance from the very people we’re called to lead. Obedience isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it.
Joseph’s life is one of betrayal and misunderstanding. His brothers despised him because of the dreams God had given him. They mocked him, sold him into slavery, and assumed they’d silenced him forever.
But Joseph held onto his God-given dreams even in the face of rejection. His story encourages us to trust God with the outcomes of our obedience—even when we feel isolated or abandoned.
If anyone understood what it meant to be misunderstood, it was Jesus. His own family doubted Him (John 7:5), His followers often failed to grasp His mission, and the religious leaders mocked Him.
Yet Jesus remained steadfast in His obedience to the Father. He wasn’t swayed by the opinions of others because He knew His purpose was to do the will of God (John 6:38). His life reminds us that the opinion of God is the only one that ultimately matters.
Obedience to God’s call is not without its challenges. There will be moments when you’ll feel misunderstood, overlooked, or even ridiculed.
1. Stepping Out When Others Say Stay
Sometimes, God’s call will require you to leave a place, a role, or a relationship before it makes sense to anyone else. Like Abraham, you may feel the pull to step into something unknown and uncertain.
2. Staying When Others Say Go
Other times, God may call you to remain in a situation that feels uncomfortable or difficult when everyone around you is telling you to leave. Just because others don’t see the purpose doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
3. Trusting God with the Results
Obedience isn’t about guaranteeing an outcome; it’s about trusting God with the process. Your responsibility is to say “yes” to God—He’ll handle the rest.
It’s natural to want the approval of others. No one enjoys being misunderstood or judged. But if we make decisions based on what others think instead of what God says, we risk missing out on His best for our lives.
• Respect the Season, But Don’t Stay Out of Fear
God calls us to honor the seasons we’re in, but we are not bound to them forever. Obedience to God may look like leaving a “good” situation because He’s calling you to something better.
• Be Okay with Looking “Weird”
The world’s wisdom often runs counter to God’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:27). Following God’s call may mean looking foolish to others, but that’s a small price to pay for walking in obedience.
• Anchor Yourself in God’s Opinion
At the end of the day, God’s opinion is the only one that matters. When you’re tempted to second-guess your decisions because of others’ opinions, remind yourself that your ultimate accountability is to Him.
If you’re stepping into a season where God’s call is leading you into uncharted territory, take heart. You’re in good company. From Abraham to Jesus, God has always called His people to walk paths that others couldn’t understand.
So be bold. Be faithful. And above all, trust God with the outcomes. He sees what others can’t, and His plans for your life are always good.
You don’t need everyone to understand your journey—just the One who called you to it.
