How Do I Know If I’m Ready to Follow Jesus? (Sorting Through the Hesitations, Fears, and What Comes Next)
There’s a quiet moment that comes after the noise, after the campfire high, the sermon ends, the worship song fades out, or after the conversation with a friend who follows Jesus and just seems… different. It’s a moment where something inside you leans forward, just a little, and whispers, “Am I ready for this Jesus thing?”
If you’ve ever asked that question, or if you’re asking it now, then let’s sit with it for a while. Not to rush you. Not to pressure you. But to tell you the truth, with a little kindness and a lot of clarity.
Following Jesus doesn’t mean you have it all figured out. It’s not about hitting a certain level of goodness or readiness. It’s not about being able to answer every theological argument or denominational declaration. It’s about surrender. Not dramatic. Just honest and personal.
Because the truth is, Jesus isn’t waiting for your readiness. He invites your willingness.
ARE YOU WAITING FOR A SIGN? WHY?
A lot of people wait for some magical moment when they “know” they’re ready. They wait to feel cleaner, smarter, more spiritual, less messed up. But when Jesus walked up to fishermen, tax collectors, and sinners, He didn’t give them a checklist or a test. He simply said, “Follow Me.”
They didn’t know where they were going. They just knew who was asking. “As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net… ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said.” (Mark 1:16-17, NIV) And they dropped their nets and made Jesus the Lord of their lives.
That’s what surrender looks like. Not certainty. Just a willingness to take the next step when Jesus calls. It can be scary, I know. It can feel like you’re jumping into the water to swim against the current for the rest of your life. Well, I can’t say you’re 100% wrong there. But what I can say is that it’s worth it. Every. Single. Day.
FAITH IN JESUS ISN’T A FEELING. IT’S A RESPONSE TO HIS CALL.
Feelings are fickle. They rise and fall with bad weather and an overcooked soufflé. If you wait to feel spiritual or brave or holy, you’ll never move. You’ll be trapped in that hamster wheel, emotionally running as fast as you can towards peace and happiness, and never even realize you’re not even on the right track.
See, faith isn’t about feelings. It’s about trusting Jesus, who is already reaching out His hand, waiting for you to jump off that wheel and find some rest in Him. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, NIV).
Following Jesus isn’t about summoning belief from the depths of your soul. It’s about responding to the truth that’s already been spoken. “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9, NIV). There’s no line there about having your life together first. It’s about belief and confession. It’s as simple as turning toward Him and saying yes. And, it will give you a new life.
FOLLOWING JESUS CHANGES EVERYTHING
Jesus never sugarcoated the invitation. He told people to count the cost. Following Him will cost you comfort. It might cost you relationships, habits, or pride. But don’t confuse counting the cost with self-disqualification. He died knowingyou couldn’t earn it. That’s the point. The Apostle Paul said, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, NIV)
You may not feel qualified to turn to Jesus. And, frankly, you’re not. Never will be. Neither will I. But Jesus is.
Can I just tell you that I’m a sinner? I have done things that I’m ashamed of. I’ve sinned against God and lived in that sin for a long time. If you’re running on the measure of “people in the world who have the least sins,” I’m around the 6 or 7 billion mark. I’m not worthy of the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. I’m not worthy of His dying for my sins.
But to Jesus, that didn’t matter. He doesn’t care what I have done in the past. He only cares what I choose today, and today I choose Jesus. That doesn’t make me worthy. It does allow me to be forgiven.
SO HOW DO I DO STOP WAITING AND FOLLOW JESUS?
So, how do you do take the step from honest curiosity and move it toward a decision for Jesus?
- Say it out loud. Tell God what you believe about Him, even if you’re not sure you said it “right.” Confession is where following begins. “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9, NIV).
- Take a step toward Jesus. Whether it’s reading Scripture, talking to a Christian you know is faithful in their walk, or going to church, just move toward Jesus in the light you have. Scripture is the best start. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105, NIV) Try the book of John in the New International Version (easiest to understand). It walks you through the life of Jesus, as witnessed by one of His best friends. It’s absolutely amazing.
- Stop negotiating your worthiness. Jesus never asked anyone to fix themselves first. Just read the Gospels, He walked with sinners, not saints. “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32, NIV) This one still haunts me some days. But so what?? Like I said before, I’m not worthy. I never will be. Jesus is. Always has been. Always will be.
- Expect transformation, but don’t bet on perfection. Following Jesus changes everything, but it’s not an instant polish that refurbishes your entire life. Growth is a lifelong process. “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…” (Philippians 1:6, NIV) Yes, you will be changed. And every day that you choose Jesus will be a day closer to living like Him. But it is a process that will take the rest of your life. Sounds hard but, I can honestly say, it’s the best ride ever.
- Trust Him with your questions. You don’t need every answer to start walking with Jesus. He’s not afraid of your doubts. There is this one verse that I go back to over and over. It’s from a man who was asking Jesus to heal his son. He said, “Lord, I believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24, NIV) It’s okay to say this. I believe in you, Jesus. But help my unbelief. It’s one of those IYKYK kind of things. You can’t really explain it, but it just hits deep. Don’t hesitate to follow Jesus because you have questions; He understands.
THE NEXT STEP ISN’T AS FAR AS YOU THINK
If your heart is leaning toward Jesus, it’s because He’s already calling. He doesn’t rush you, but He doesn’t leave you in limbo either. You don’t have to feel holy. You just have to be honest.
You’re not saying yes to a religion. You’re saying yes to a Person. You’re saying yes to Jesus Christ, who sees every part of you and says, Come.
If you want a step-by-step guide to walking through your “Yes” to Jesus, click here. It just lays out the Gospel of Jesus in way that’s pretty easy to understand.Then, please take a minute to let me know that you’ve decided to follow Him today. I’d love the chance to pray for you as you begin this new life in Christ.
☕ This is my prayer for you: that you have a little faith, a little courage, and a whole lot of stubborn joy. – Tonya
What held you back the longest when it came to following Jesus—or what’s holding you back right now? I’d love to hear your story.
© 2025 All posts written (barefoot, prayerful, and knee deep into writing a school paper that is breaking my brain) by Tonya E. Lee.
