We, or someone we know, may be required to leave our comfort zone, or a place of familiarity, and relocate, whether to take up work in a different country, move to a different school—perhaps in another state or region—or even seek refuge in a never-before-visited territory due to war or uprising. Although this can seem quite a daunting prospect, eliciting fear and doubt, we do actually have a choice. We can give in to anxiety, allowing ourselves to worry over an uncertain future. Or we can trustingly turn to God in consecrated prayer and obedience and move forward with calm assurance, confidence, and peace—and find that we are being unerringly guided and practically taken care of.

The Bible is full of examples of those faced with these kinds of situations, and we can learn helpful lessons from their experiences. Genesis records the story of Abram, later renamed Abraham, whom God asked to leave all that was familiar to him and go to an unknown country that God would show him. Without questioning why or even where this new country was, he went. As we read in the book of Hebrews, “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went” (11:8). Abraham was blessed immensely by this act of faith and obedience, becoming a “father of many nations” (Genesis 17:5) and also enjoying immense prosperity. 

We see similar faith and obedience expressed by Christ Jesus’ disciples. For example, two fisherman brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew, while going about their livelihood one day, were asked by Jesus to change their daily business and follow him. We read in the Gospel of Matthew that “they straightway left their nets, and followed him” (4:20). They were blessed by this act of faith, ultimately healing many and helping to start the Christian church, which has endured for more than two thousand years.