Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Hebrews 12:1-3
The last part of the scripture talks about the fainting of the mind. The feeling of being stuck comes from the mind. The mind conceives this defeatist notion because of what the eye sees and the heart accepts.
People start projects with so much excitement and belief that you’d think that they could already see the finish line. Further down the road, they are encumbered with obstacles and barriers that slowly cause them to lose heart and faith.
This sequence of events then causes an acceptance of defeat in the mind which then translates into complete and utter failure.
The good news today is that in Christ there is no failure. Let us look at his life from the beginning. He knew what his destiny was and he was determined to fulfill it. He knew that he would have to endure a lot of undeserved pain on our behalves so he could give us glory through his resurrection and ascension.
Even though salvation was the motivation here, going through with this was not easy for Jesus. Let us not forget that he did all this in flesh and so endured all the pain that we go through on a day-to-day basis.
He was tempted in the wilderness by the devil to abandon his quest in exchange for something that appealed to his flesh. He was rejected by his own people because he declared himself the Messiah. He befriended strangers and made them see the true glory of God. He made his own family.
He was criminalized and sentenced to death because he spoke the truth. He was crucified with murderers and thieves in an attempt to simplify his atonement for our sins.
Even after he rose from the dead, his resurrection was mocked and written off as hearsay and a fallacy by those who never accepted him. Even to this day, there are those who do not accept him for who he is and have not encountered his power.
How do we apply this to our own lives?
In those times when we look at what is around us and decide to give up, we must look at the life of Christ. He had one goal and every step of the way he kept his eyes on that goal. It did not matter what was going to happen because he knew it would happen from the beginning. He wanted to be the Savior, and nothing would stop him from doing that.
Focus on your goal and treat it as Christ did his. Know in your heart that it is already done and there is nothing that is going to stop you from getting there. Know your end from your beginning and agree in your heart that the script has already been written about your success.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
(John 16:33)
6 things to do when you feel stuck
Refocus on your goal
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained
(Philippians 3: 14,15)
This scripture entreats you to refocus on your goals. If at some point your vision is blurred, ask God to make it clearer so you can press on. Keep moving on the path you know has success in the Lord. Never sway from his path or lose sight of your goal no matter what. When you feel stuck, look for your goal immediately and start moving towards it in the Lord.
Related Posts
Forget what is gone, protect what is left
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland
Isaiah 43:18-19
Do not cry over what you have lost but look forward to what is to come. Take what you have now which is your faith in God and remember the good things he has done for you. Use this as fuel to keep going forward and never look back. As long as you have life, you have a purpose. As long as you have a purpose you have victory assured in the Lord through faith in Christ Jesus.
Resist negative thoughts
..because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:5-6
Be convinced that as long as God is with you, he will finish what he started for you. No matter what evil or negative thoughts that tries to deceive you, resist them. Know in your heart and be glad within you that the Lord who started his good work in you will complete it in glory.
Hold on to your Faith (Compass)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).
When God holds your hand, it is ok to keep your eyes closed knowing that he will get you to where you need to be. There are times your own understanding might suggest other better ways apart from God to achieve your goal.
Other times people will try to sway you from your faith in God especially when the road ahead looks misty. Let your faith be your compass.
Be convinced in your heart that even in the most treacherous of storms, God will lead you out. Hold on firmly to him and you will never be lost. In times when you feel confused, remember that the right path is God’s path and as long as you remain on it, your glory awaits you.
Recommended Resources
Morning Prayers: Start Your Day With God
Hoping Against Hope: 5-Day Devotional Plan
Total Trust: 5-Day Devotional Plan On Trusting God Completely
Renew your strength when need be
An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:43, 44).
This proves that Christ faced the same difficulties you do. When he did, he renewed his strength. An angel came to strengthen him but in your case, it may not be an angel but a sign. Look out for any small thing that gives you a fighting chance. Something that tells you that you are not alone in this battle and that if you keep going just a little further, you will achieve your goal.
Don’t focus too much on what you see
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Sometimes, what discourages us and makes us feel stuck is what is around us. We look at our present situation, our environment, our inabilities, and our shortcomings and these make us feel like we can’t progress no matter what we do or how hard we try.
What you need to understand is that it is not about you and what you can do. It is about God and what he is going to do in your life. So what you need to focus on is God. Do not limit God with your shortcomings and your incapabilities. God is limitless, he is a capable God, so keep your eyes on him. Don’t focus on what you see.
God is working behind the scenes. He is renewing you day by day. He is making things new. You must focus on the promised glory at the end and never lose hope based on the difficulty you are going through now.
Prayer for when you feel stuck
Dear God,
I come to you for clarity and direction
I’m at a point in life where I don’t know what to do
I feel stuck and I don’t know which way to go
Please be my guide and order my steps
I’m tired and scared, I find myself thinking of what future awaits me
and that even stresses me more
It’s like I’m just marking time and it makes me feel purposeless
Please take my hand and help me move forward in life
Help me find inspiration around me
Put the desire in me to work toward something
Break the chains of idleness and worthlessness around me
Set me free from this rut
Let me find a purpose in life
And equip me to work toward that purpose
Purify my mind, dear Lord, help me let go of these negative thoughts
Take my fears, my anxieties, and this empty feeling in my heart
And give me hope, confidence, and clarity
In Jesus’ name, I pray,
Amen
