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Chapter 6: "You Seem Stuck"

This chapter has been shortened for the bible app.

Hebrews 12:1b-2a says, “So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on home our faith depends from beginning to end.”

We are not sure who wrote the Book of Hebrews, but this verse is meant to tell the reader about the rewards of discipline. When this world hurts us, slows us down, or downright stops us in our steps we can remain determined. If our faith is based on Jesus, then our eyes stay fixed on him, and we can indeed finish the race. While we are frustrated, mourning, and even feeling stuck, our race has not paused.

There are multiple reasons you may feel “stuck” in life. It could be because of a dead-end job, an unknown future, or being so busy you do not even have time for hobbies. I never thought my mid-twenties would leave me feeling stuck. I assumed that happened in your fifties when kids are grown, and you are going through a midlife crisis we have heard so much about. I didn’t expect to be 24 and feel like my shoes are filled with cement. I changed roles at my place of work, and suddenly my job wasn’t fulfilling anymore. I wanted to start my master’s degree but had no idea where the money would come from. I would marry my best friend, but we didn’t know where we could afford to live. I was stressed, busy, and at times, depressed. I had no clue what the future had in store, and it was weighing on me. I felt like God had forgotten about us as I waited and waited for signs and answers.

I turned to the book of Psalms when David expressed similar pain. He writes in Psalm 13, “O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?” In this portion of the passage, David felt stuck, frustrated, and forgotten. His own son was conspiring against him. So what did he do? He talked to God by praying boldly. He didn’t act as if everything was okay; he let himself grieve and expressed his needs. We can feel pressured to put on a smile, act happy, and pretend everything is working out as planned. The church, which is supposed to encourage vulnerability, can turn into a sort of social hall. A place where we talk about our highlights and praises but push the anguish deep inside. We can feel unsuccessful if we admit something is wrong in our lives. We feel like maybe we made a mistake if God doesn’t seem to be answering our prayers.

But God loves us unconditionally.

He loved David unconditionally.

In the second half of that Psalm, David goes on to write, “Turn and answer me, O Lord my God. Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!” Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall. But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.” Just because he allowed himself time to hurt does not mean he didn’t have great faith in the Lord! Even during the pain, he knew God’s goodness was for him, not against him, and he continued to praise his name. After this realization, I was still confused and still unsure of the future. However, I know one thing is for certain I can continue to praise his name, knowing God’s providence will continue.

This chapter aims not to cure you of your inability to move forward but to encourage you to praise God during the unknown. Maybe we are not stuck at all; perhaps we are still. Maybe God wants us to be still and wait for him, trust in him, and have greater faith than before.