Each year at the Unhindered Steps Conference, we invite teens and adults to submit anonymous questions about life, faith, and mental and emotional well-being.
Our team—made up of therapists, counselors, youth leaders, and parents—prayerfully and thoughtfully responds to as many as we can.
We’re here to support you, encourage you, and walk alongside you. If you have a question of your own, we’d love to hear from you! Use the Contact link in the menu to submit your own.
Your Questions Answered
How do you overcome fear with God's help?
I am a very fearful person. I was told recently that the phrase “Do not fear” is repeated so often in the Bible because it is a normal human experience. God knew we would need to hear it repeated. The phrase “do not fear” is often coupled with a phrase that highlights that we have a God that draws near. He is with us. I battle with my fear by remembering that God is with me even through the hard things. I reflect on His character: He is loving, powerful, wise, good, and faithful. He is bigger than whatever I am facing. I think of Romans 8 which reminds me that God has taken care of my biggest need, my sin, through Jesus, so He will not neglect these other concerns. Romans 8 also reminds me that God is working for my good and nothing can separate me from His love. That provides me with comfort and confidence in fearful situations. Remember that fear itself is not a sin; it can be a tool to draw us closer to our Heavenly Father. In the moment, call out to Him. -Lydia, Board Member
How can you work on self-confidence?
Honestly, this has been a struggle for me, too. When I was in high school, my best friend wrote in my yearbook, “The one thing I’m sure of about you is that, no matter what you do, you will doubt your capacity at it.” Those words were painfully accurate. My insecurities often made me feel anxious, uncertain, and inferior. My confidence began to grow only when I started learning what God’s Word says about who I am. Scripture teaches that our identity is firmly rooted in Him—that He loves us consistently and completely, even when we feel we have nothing to offer. God values us, not because of what we accomplish, but because He created us and calls us His own. Everything else we could base our confidence on eventually shifts. Our abilities change, our appearance changes, and life circumstances change. But God never does. When your confidence is grounded in His character and His promises, it becomes steady and secure. A helpful practice is to memorize truths about who you are in Christ. Replace negative, self-critical thoughts with what God says about you—His workmanship, His child, His beloved. Surround yourself with people who affirm these truths and encourage you to find your worth in Him. For encouragement, read Psalm 71:5. -Erin, Founder & Director
How do you deal with the shame of messing up?
The beauty of this question is that the answer is found in the freedom of Jesus. Shame is a powerful feeling that can keep us chained to our past sin and makes it almost impossible to trust that Jesus was wounded for our transgressions (sin against God) but the Bible is clear that Jesus paid it all! Psalm 103:12 says “as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” 1 John 1:7 says “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.” Verse 9 continues with “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” I love Hebrews 10:19-23 that says “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” -Cheryl, Board Member
Does God love those who struggle with their sexuality?
Yes! Romans 5:8 says, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus died for sinners because He loved them while they were still sinners. Struggling with sexuality can take on many forms: lust, homosexuality, sex outside of marriage. The word 'struggle' seems to imply that a person is striving to understand their sexuality and may not like their current actions or at least is aware that the actions are not what God desires. If you are feeling convicted, rejoice that the Holy Spirit is doing a work to help rescue you from your sin. I think it is important to remember that your sexuality is not your identity. If you are a Christian, you are defined by being a child of God. Fighting sin- whether it be sexual or other- is an aspect of trusting that God has set guidelines because He knows what leads to human flourishing. He is looking out for our best. He wants to give us long-term joy. -Lydia, Board Member