7 Things God Takes Away Before Giving You Something New

Whether you desire a new relationship, a new career path, or some other blessing, before God gives you these things, he often prepares the way by taking other things away from you.

By studying and applying the path Israel took to receive the Promised Land, we can identify at least 7 things God often takes away before giving you something new.

1. Before God Gives You Something New, He Often Takes Away Your Favor with Others

When Joseph was leading in Egypt, Israel was thriving and secure. But many years later, Egypt forgot about Joseph and how God used his family to bring blessings. When God wanted Israel to leave Egypt, he used Pharaoh’s harsh treatment to influence them to pray for an exit.

Exodus 1:8 says, “Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.” Soon after, the Israelites were oppressed and enslaved (Exodus 1:11-14). What once felt safe and beneficial suddenly became painful and restrictive.

God often allows favor with people to fade when he is calling you into a new season. Maybe your boss was always in your corner. But lately he’s been putting you down or blaming you for things that aren’t your fault. This could mean God’s preparing you to move on. Or maybe your best friend used to be really supportive, but now they seem really jealous. This could mean God is bringing a new friend.

This pattern appears throughout Scripture. David lost favor with Saul before becoming king (1 Samuel 18:6-12). Jesus himself was rejected in Nazareth before expanding his ministry elsewhere (Luke 4:28-30). Before the gospel spread, the new believers were persecuted in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1-4).

If your favor with others is being removed, it could mean God is about to move you into something new.

2. Before God Gives You Something New, He Often Takes Away Your Comfort

Before Israel was led out of Egypt, the situation became extremely uncomfortable for them. Not only were they in slavery, but because of God’s plagues, the Egyptians all hated them even more. Exodus 5:7-9 records how Pharaoh increased their workload after Moses first confronted him. The pressure intensified before the breakthrough came.

Sometimes we assume discomfort means God has abandoned us. But many times, discomfort is evidence that God is moving us. If Egypt had remained comfortable for Israel, they would never have wanted to leave. God used discomfort to create a desire for change.

Likewise, God often uses discomfort to break our dependence on what cannot go with us into the next season.

3. Before God Gives You Something New, He Often Takes Away “Your Egypt”

Israel repeatedly wanted to go back to Egypt whenever the wilderness became difficult (Numbers 14:1-4). Even though Egypt was a place of bondage, at least it was familiar.

Throughout the Bible, Egypt is routinely used as a symbol for our old way of life. To receive the new life, we must leave the old. And like Israel, sometimes there’s a difficult journey to travel before you can reach the new place. There’s a season of transition. But you cannot receive the new thing God has for you while clinging to the old thing he told you to leave behind.

Isaiah 43:18-19 says, “Remember not the former things . . . behold, I am doing a new thing.”

4. Before God Gives You Something New, He Often Takes Away “Your Moses”

Deuteronomy 34 records the death of Moses, and Joshua 1 begins with God commissioning Joshua for the next phase. Moses was the right leader for deliverance and wilderness wandering, but Joshua was the leader for conquest and settlement.

God often changes our leaders, mentors, or spiritual influences when a new season comes. Sometimes, the people who helped you survive one season are not the people God will use to lead you into the next one.

This can be painful because we naturally become attached to familiar voices and support systems. But God wants our ultimate trust to remain in him, not in human instruments.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “For everything there is a season.” Different seasons often require different guidance.

5. Before God Gives You Something New, He Often Takes Away “Your Manna”

For years, Israel relied on manna for food. Every morning, God supernaturally provided bread from heaven in the wilderness. But once they entered the Promised Land, the manna stopped. Joshua 5:12 says, “And the manna ceased the day after they ate of the produce of the land.”

This can be scary, but remember God’s faithfulness is not limited to one source. The God who provided manna can also provide crops in the Promised Land.

Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

6. Before God Gives You Something New, He Takes Away Bad Social Influences

The previous generation of Israelites doubted God, rebelled against him, and refused to trust him enough to enter the land. Because of their unbelief, Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years (Numbers 14:26-35). Only after that unbelieving generation passed away was the new generation ready to enter the Promised Land.

Likewise, before God gives you a stronger spiritual life, he may separate you from people who constantly pull you away from him. Before he gives you a healthy marriage, he may remove toxic relationships and friendships that encourage compromise. Before he gives you a greater calling, he may distance you from people committed to comfort and unbelief.

Sometimes losing certain relationships is actually protection for your future (1 Corinthians 15:33).

7. Before God Gives You Something New, He Takes Away Your Fears

God doesn’t just magically take your fears away. Rather, he takes your fears away by forcing you to face them through the faith he supplies.

The fall of Jericho’s walls wasn’t just a cool way for God to destroy an enemy. Rather, it was also meant to help Israel face their fears and put radical trust in God (Joshua 6). Before they went on a military winning streak, they had to learn the formula for success: trusting God completely.

Likewise, before God gives you the new thing he promised, he will often require you to confront the very fears that have been controlling you. Before he gives you a healthy relationship, you may have to face your fear of vulnerability. Before he gives you a new ministry or career opportunity, you may have to face your fear of failure or rejection.

Fear cannot dominate your life if you want to fully walk in God’s promises. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Very often, the doorway into your new season is located on the other side of your greatest fear.