Is Asking God for a Sign a Matter of Faith or Foolishness?

Even mature believers can struggle to trust their instincts. Is it wrong to ask God for a sign when you're trying to do the right thing?

Let me get right to it: Is it wrong to ask God for a sign that your proactive plans are headed in the right direction—especially during a crisis? (Please reply to me at the bottom of this post.) 

I’m not proud of this, but here’s the truth: Even after decades as a Christ follower, I still pray harder in a crisis than in calm. And when I’m facing big decisions—ones that impact not just me, but the people I love—I beg God for wisdom. I seek counsel. I lean into the Word.

But then… the clock keeps ticking, the problem still exists, actually getting worse each day… And Heaven seems super quiet.

I’m still praying morning, noon, and night at the same time, making sure all options are in line with Biblical teachings and principles.

So, I am not just sitting around waiting, reading my Bible, and praying for a miracle. In fact, as the clock ticks down, that’s when I start planning more aggressively and shift into action mode.

At the same time, something in my mind kicks in: I start remembering who I used to be.

I don’t know about you, but before I met Jesus, I made some terrible decisions—financially, relationally, and spiritually. I’m not talking about gray areas. I’m talking about obvious “don’t do this” decisions I bulldozed right into.

Even now, 27 years after I gave my life to Christ, I sometimes still find myself asking: Can I trust myself and the wise counsel of others to make good decisions? Or should I ask God for further confirmation that I am making the major move He would want me to make?

So, as I lead Back to the Bible through another financial crisis, I can’t help but think of Isaiah 55:9: “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” That’s a very humbling reminder—one that prompts me to ask God for a sign, for confirmation that the plans I’m making are headed in His direction, not mine.

I know what many mature Christians would say about this. They’d remind me of James 1:5—“If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of God…” They’d quote John Piper: “Don’t chase secret messages. Stick with God’s revealed will.” And they’d tell me that Christ is the only sign I’ll ever truly need.

And they’d be right.

But here’s where I get stuck:

What if you’ve lived a life full of bad choices?

What if your past is littered with failures?

What if—even as a redeemed and maturing believer—you still carry the scars of old instincts?

Sometimes, I feel like Gideon.

God calls, but I hesitate.I pray, but I ask for confirmation.

And like Gideon, I whisper, “Lord, I need to know this is really You. Would You show me a sign?”

I’m not trying to test God. I’m trying to obey Him.

So I’m asking you—and I really want to know:

Is it wrong to ask God for a sign when you’re trying to do the right thing in the middle of a crisis?

Please reply Yes or No and feel free to explain your answer.

Let’s have this conversation honestly—without shame, without posturing.Because chances are, I’m not the only one asking God this question.

In grace,

-Arnie