When was the last time you took a risk? Perhaps you became an entrepreneur or pivoted your business plan during the pandemic. Maybe you made a major move and started over in a new city. Or perhaps you proposed to the love of your life, palms sweating and heart beating, knowing that the risk was well worth the reward. That’s why anybody chooses to take a risk, after all. A smart risk taker only assumes a risk when they have faith that the benefit will outweigh the cost. 

There is a key connection between risk and faith. When you walk by faith, you take steps based on what you believe, not by sight. So, if you’re going to move forward in anything with God, you’ve got to be willing to take a risk. There is a divide between what you want and where you are, and taking risks is how you close it. When you partner with God in that process, He builds your trust, character, and wisdom.

“Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.” Corinthians 3:5-9 (NLT)

 You are a co-laborer with God. In other words, partnership with God requires you doing your part, and God doing His part. If you do the work, God will bring the increase.

Expand Your Paradigm

 “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV)

When you partner with God, the impossible becomes possible. Prayerfully ask God to expand your paradigm and increase your faith. When you do this, you can bet He will ask you to take some more risks!

God never intended us to stop growing towards the dreams, callings, and purposes our lives. So, never limit your paradigm for what’s possible to your current reality. Your identity and calling are bigger than your current position or parameters for success. Think God-sized thoughts. You must continue to let the Holy Spirit stretch your paradigm of possibility.

[Related: Don’t Limit Yourself: 3 Reasons People Think Small]

Invest in Yourself

         Every investment involves a risk. So, when you invest in yourself, you are taking a risk on yourself. You must be willing to take a risk on yourself first because there is no guarantee that anyone else will. Be confident that the dreams God has planted inside of you will yield a return with faithful stewardship. Do your part and trust Him to do His part.

 So, how do you invest in yourself? By prioritizing time, energy, and money into the areas where you want to see an increase. Invest in your faith, relationships, health, education, and passions. Read books, attend conferences, and network with people who have achieved the goals you’re aspiring towards.

Once you have a foundation of knowledge, take a risk on yourself. You have to get off the sidelines and get into the game. At some point, you will have to stop thinking about the business idea and launch it instead. At some point, you will have to stop thinking about investing in real estate and purchase rental property instead. Or, at some point, you will have to stop thinking about writing the book and put pen to paper instead. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13 but remember that “do” is a verb. Take a risk in faith.