How to Move From Planning to Action

Dr. John Maxwell once said, "Action is the great separator." It’s a simple but powerful truth. Many of us dream. We write down goals. We develop plans. But the difference between those who fulfill their calling and those who don’t is one thing: action.

You can have the right heart. You can even have a clear plan. But until you take action, you’ll never step into the fullness of what God has prepared for you.

So why don’t we act? We wait for perfect conditions. We hope fear will disappear. We long for more clarity. But the truth is, God leads His people to act even when fear is still present.

David’s Charge to Solomon: From Vision to Action
In 1 Chronicles 28:20-21, David speaks directly to his son Solomon and the leaders of Israel during a solemn assembly. Solomon is about to become king, and the great task before him is the building of the temple. The vision is clear. The plan is set. Now, it’s time to act.

"Be strong and courageous, and do it. Do not be afraid, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished."

This is the pivot. The turning point from divine revelation to human participation. David gives Solomon not just a plan, but a legacy, and the call is clear: act.

The First Principle: God Calls Us to Be Strong and Courageous
The first principle in moving from planning to action is this: God calls us to be strong and courageous when He invites us to act.

David isn’t just giving Solomon a pep talk. He’s reminding him that courage comes not from self-confidence, but from God’s presence.

This echoes the words God gave Joshua. In Joshua 1, as he prepared to lead Israel into the Promised Land, God repeatedly told him to be strong and courageous. Leadership would be hard. The journey would be daunting. But the strength to move forward would come from God, not from within.

What Does It Mean to Be Strong and Courageous?
David’s words to Solomon are loaded with meaning.

To be strong means to become powerful beyond the average. It’s an invitation to grow beyond current capacity, not by self-effort, but by tapping into the strength God supplies. God has strength to give away, and when He gives it, He is no weaker for it.

God is calling Solomon to become stronger than he currently is. And He does the same with us.

To be courageous is not the absence of fear, but the ability to face and deal with fear without flinching. Courage moves forward even when fear is still in the room.

David also says, "Do not be afraid, and do not be dismayed." These two words point to different kinds of pressure.

Afraid speaks to internal fear, an anxious apprehension about what might happen. It's when we see a situation, play it out in our minds, and then start speaking defeat before anything has even happened.

Dismayed refers to external pressure that brings discouragement. It’s the voice that says, "That’ll never work," or "You’re not enough." When we receive that discouragement, it lowers our spirits, weakens our resolve, and tempts us to quit.

David knows that fear and discouragement are coming for Solomon, just like they come for all leaders. So he prepares him not with mere optimism, but with a powerful reminder of who is with him.

The Strength Behind the Command
David roots Solomon’s courage in the presence of God: "For the Lord God, even my God, is with you."

The Hebrew makes this even more rich. "The Lord God" is Yahweh Elohim.

Yahweh is God’s covenant name, the one He gave Moses at the burning bush. It speaks to God's faithfulness, His nearness, His personal commitment to His people.

Elohim is the name that speaks of power. Creator. Ruler. Sustainer of the universe.

So David is saying, "The God who made a covenant with our people, and the God who made the heavens and the earth, He is with you."

He is both personal and all-powerful.

This is what Solomon is being invited to walk in. This is what gives the courage to act. And this is what’s available to us as well.

The Same God Is With Us Today
If you’ve been saved by grace through faith, you have the Spirit of God with you. Just as David told Solomon, just as God told Joshua, He tells us:
"Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you and uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10).

God’s presence is the source of strength that surpasses fear and overcomes adversity.
So whether it’s leading a family, stepping into ministry, giving toward a vision, or simply making a decision you know God is calling you to, do it with courage.

What Is God Calling You to Do?
What step of faith is God asking you to take today?

Maybe it’s something big. Maybe it’s something private. But if it requires courage, then it’s probably connected to your calling. And if it stretches your faith, then it’s going to need God's strength to carry it out.

Faith is not proven by ideas or dreams. Faith is proven by action.

Obedience is not a concept. Obedience is a movement.

Let this be the first principle that carries you forward: God calls us to be strong and courageous, and He promises to be with us every step of the way.

So take the step. Make the move. Do the work. He is with you.



This blog is based on the message shared by Senior Pastor Dr. Roger Patterson at our CityRise West U Baptist campus on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. Check out the full message below!