Trusting God Requires A Sacrifice
A conversation between Adam Kennedy, guest; and Devaughn Williamson, host.
Life rarely goes the way we plan, but sometimes, that's the best thing that can happen. Adam Kennedy is a testament to this. His story is one of faith, perseverance, and stepping out of comfort into the unknown—all to follow the calling God placed on his life.
When Adam first felt called to be a counselor, he was just 21 years old, newly saved, and not even in school yet. Fast forward to today—he’s running a successful private practice, pursuing his doctoral degree, and seeing doors open in ways he never imagined. But the road to this moment wasn’t easy.
For years, Adam juggled two jobs—working full-time during the day and running his counseling practice in the evenings and weekends. It was exhausting, but he kept going, believing that one day, he’d transition into full-time private practice. However, *his* timeline didn’t quite match *God’s* timeline. He kept waiting for the “right moment,” but God had a different plan.
That moment came unexpectedly. Adam felt a strong pull to step out in faith, leave his full-time job, and dedicate himself completely to his practice. It was a terrifying leap—letting go of financial security and comfort—but he obeyed. And what happened? Peace. Provision. Growth. Suddenly, what once seemed impossible became his reality.
But God wasn’t done. Years before, Adam had received a prophetic word that he would one day earn his doctorate and teach at a university level. At the time, it seemed far off. Yet, when the opportunity arose to pursue his Ph.D., Adam remembered that promise and took the step. Once again, God provided, opening doors he never saw coming—including financial support that covered his education.
Pastor Tom, his childhood pastor, extended an incredible grace to him—one that Adam didn’t see coming. Pastor Tom made the decision to open up a scholarship meant for Divinity students to counseling students as well. That covered everything from that point forward. Looking back, Adam knew he should have acted sooner. He dragged his feet, but God still showed him grace. That financial burden being lifted was a huge blessing.
Fast forward to his doctoral journey—getting accepted itself was a miracle. He had been out of school for years. But the program was tailor-made for people like Adam: full-time professionals in the counseling field, already making contributions. It was like God had set the stage long before he even considered applying.
And then came another surprise—Adam hadn’t applied for any scholarships, just restarted his federal aid. But I got an email that said his financial aid had been approved. Turns out, it was a $21,000 scholarship he never even applied for! That moment was a reminder—God had provided for his education every single step of the way, from undergrad to grad school, and now to his doctorate. Adam never had to worry because God always made a way.
But here’s the key—none of this happened until Adam was both “willing” and “obedient”. It wasn’t until he finally surrendered and followed what God was leading him to do that doors started opening. It’s the same principle in his counseling practice today. Running his own business means stepping out in faith constantly. He has to trust that if God called him to this, He’s going to provide.
That’s what faith really is—trusting that God sees the bigger picture, even when we don’t. If He asks us to step out, there has to be trust that He’s not leading us into failure. And let’s be real—sometimes what He asks us to do makes no sense from a logical standpoint. But He’s always ahead of us, always preparing something greater than we could ever imagine.
So if Adam could give his younger self (or anyone listening) one piece of advice, it would be this: “be obedient, even in the small things”. God doesn’t just move in the big, life-changing moments. He’s present in the daily choices, in the small acts of faith. If we love Him, we trust Him. And if we trust Him, we obey—even when it doesn’t make sense. Because in the end, His plan is always better than ours.
If Adam’s story moved you, consider sharing it with someone who needs encouragement. And I encourage you to partner with Faith Ignite to help bring more stories of hope to the world. Together, we can spread messages of God's faithfulness to those who need it most.
Devaughn Williamson President, Faith Ignite Inc
