Hey, friend. Let’s get real for a minute. We’ve all been there, right? Standing at a crossroads, trying to figure out which way to go. We’re praying, we’re hoping, and maybe, just maybe, we’re looking for a sign—a big, flashing arrow that says, “This is the way! Go here!” We’re trying to figure out the difference between acting on faith vs acting based on signs, and it’s a topic that deserves some heart-to-heart talk.

Now, let’s be super clear from the start: signs from God are not inherently bad. Not at all. The Lord loves us, and He often uses signs to help us see His hand in our lives and give us reassurance. This isn’t about saying we should never ask for signs from God or look for them. Instead, let’s talk about the difference between acting on faith and acting based on signs. It’s a subtle but powerful distinction that can change everything. This isn’t about ostracizing those who seek signs; it’s about helping us all step into a deeper, more trusting relationship with God.

When Signs Follow Faith

Sometimes, we get the order mixed up. We think, “I’ll take action when I get a sign.” But the scriptures show us a different pattern. The miracles often came after the people took a step of faith, not before.

Think about the story of Jesus walking on water. When Peter saw the Lord on the sea, he didn’t say, “I will come to you if a red carpet appears on the water.” No, he said, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water” (Matthew 14:28). Peter was asking for an invitation, not a guarantee. He stepped out of that boat and walked on water based on a simple command and his faith. Can you imagine if he had waited for a sign that the water could hold his weight? He would have stayed in the boat and missed one of the most incredible experiences of his life. His acting on faith led to the miracle.

Or what about the wedding at Cana? When the wine ran out, Jesus’s mother asked him to help. His instruction to the servants was simple: “Fill the waterpots with water” (John 2:7). He didn’t say, “Here is a sign that this water will become wine.” He asked them to act on faith. It was only after they obeyed and carried the water-filled jars to the master of the feast that they witnessed the miracle of the water turning into wine. If they had waited for a sign, they would have been waiting forever.

And the miracle of feeding the 5,000? Imagine the disciples looking at a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish, and then looking at the massive crowd. What if they had demanded a sign that the food would multiply before they started distributing it? They wouldn’t have seen the miracle. Instead, they acted on faith, passed out what they had, and watched as the Lord multiplied it to feed everyone. They weren’t acting based on signs from God; they were acting on His instruction.

The Problem with Waiting for a Sign

Sometimes, waiting for a sign can actually stop us from moving forward. We might be so focused on finding that undeniable proof that we miss the quiet whisper of the Holy Spirit. If we rely completely on signs, we might be waiting forever. We might miss out on incredible blessings because we are waiting for a guarantee that never comes. We might let our fear of the unknown paralyze us.

Acting based on signs can sometimes lead us to a place of dependency where we don’t trust our own spiritual promptings. The Lord wants us to grow, and that growth often comes when we have to step out of our comfort zone with just a flicker of light, not a spotlight.

So, does God give signs? Absolutely! But they often serve a different purpose. They are reassurances, confirmations, and beautiful little winks from God that let us know we are on the right path. They are a reward for our faith, not a prerequisite for it.

How to Start Acting on Faith

Even in these modern days, the Lord will ask us to do big things! He will invite you to step out of your comfort zone, to serve someone you don’t know, to pursue a new path, or to forgive someone who has hurt you deeply. And, just like the people in the scriptures, He will ask us to do these things with faith.

So how do we do it?

Pray With a Sincere Heart

This might sound simple, but it’s so powerful. Instead of praying, “God, give me a sign that I should take this new job,” try shifting your prayer to something like, “Heavenly Father, please give me the courage and strength to know if this is the right path for me. Help me feel Your peace and give me the confidence to take the next step.”

Think about it like this: If you’re a student trying to decide on a major, you wouldn’t just sit in your room and hope a letter from the university lands on your bed telling you what to study. You would talk to your academic advisor, research the programs, and then pray for guidance and confirmation. The prayer isn’t about getting a magical answer; it’s about opening your heart to receive the wisdom you need to move forward. It’s about asking for clarity and strength, not a guarantee.

Study the Scriptures

Immerse yourself in God’s word. The scriptures are full of examples of faith and promises from God that can strengthen your trust in Him. They are our ultimate guide. They show us over and over again that God is faithful and that His promises are true.

Maybe you’re struggling with forgiving someone. It feels impossible, right? You might pray for a sign that they deserve forgiveness, but what if you turned to the scriptures instead? You could read about Christ’s example on the cross, or the story of the prodigal son. You would find dozens of verses about the importance of forgiveness. These stories and teachings become your “sign”—a powerful, unchanging witness that this is a principle God wants you to live. They give you the faith to take that difficult step, even when your emotions are telling you to do the opposite.

Listen to the Holy Ghost

This is your personal GPS system. It’s that feeling of peace, that quiet prompting, that warm feeling in your heart. It’s the way the Lord speaks directly to you.

I remember a time when I had to make a really difficult decision about moving. There were no flashing signs, no clear-cut answer. I was agonizing over it, praying for a huge sign, but nothing came. Then, one night, as I was quietly thinking and praying, I felt a deep, profound sense of peace. It wasn’t an exciting, fireworks kind of feeling. It was a calm, certain assurance that everything would be okay, no matter what I chose, as long as I moved forward in faith. It was a simple, quiet feeling—the Holy Ghost telling me, “It’s alright. You have done your part. Now, move forward with peace.” That feeling of peace was my answer. It gave me the strength to make a decision and trust that the Lord would guide me.

If we act on faith, we can move forward even when we aren’t completely sure what lies ahead. We can take that first step with the simple, powerful testimony that God is with us when He asks us to do something.

And here’s the beautiful part: with every faithful step we take, God blesses us with signs that let us know He is there. The signs don’t come before the faith; they come because of the faith. We can sometimes get it backward, thinking, “I would totally believe if I just got some kind of sign.” But the truth is, faith doesn’t come from signs. It comes from seeking the guidance of the Holy Ghost, studying the scriptures, and praying to understand God’s plan.

In fact, the Lord Himself said, “Faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe” (Doctrine and Covenants 63:9).

Faith and signs come together to help us fulfill the Lord’s will. But when we need to take that first, sometimes terrifying, step, it’s always best to do it on faith. Let’s not wait for a sign to act; let’s act on faith and watch as the signs follow.