Are You Stuck? Daily Steps to Break FreeSample

So, you're feeling stuck. I get it and yes, I've been there and I know it's not a fun place to be.

I put this plan together to help walk you through some practical steps. The point is, to help you look up from the mess you're in; identify the lies that have you in their grip and suggest practical steps for moving on.

Each day's devotional begins with a video followed by a written segment and reflection questions to get you thinking. If you find it's easier to read than to watch, you always have the option to scroll down past the devotional text to read the transcript of the day's video.

~ Shellie Bowdoin

Devotional

When we’re gripped by negative emotions, our gaze is often diverted from God. So, it’s time to realign our focus away from our circumstances and back to him.

It’s time to look up!

God wants you to know right now that he is “close to the brokenhearted and [he] saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). Just take a moment to repeat these words to yourself.

Recognize that these words are not written to diminish or trivialize your feelings, but rather to let you know that God is near. Pain can convince us that he’s far away and that there’s no way out. However, the Bible tells us an entirely different story.

The first step is to open your heart to what God has to say about the way you’re feeling.

Disappointment

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Unrealized Expectations

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

Doubt

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. - James 1:5-8

Disorganization

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants. - Proverbs 27:23-27

Fear

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6-7

Pride

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” – James 4:6

Reflection Questions:

1. Which of the emotion(s) above do you most identify with?
2. What does God's Word say about that emotion?
3. How might my feelings change if I decided to believe God's Word instead of my current emotions?

Make a personal commitment to pray the scripture that corresponds to your emotion during the course of this devotional. Ask God to open your heart to His truth.

Video Transcript

We all get stuck from time to time and when we do, it can be really hard to figure out what to do or where to go because...well, we're stuck!

Before we go even one more step, let me lay something down for you right now...you may feel stuck right now, but God can and he will pull you out through his Word and powerful working of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture is not a collection of mere platitudes. We're reminded in Heb 4:12 that, "...the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

However, God’s Word can seem like just a bunch of words if we don’t allow it to penetrate and intersect with our head and heart; our thoughts and emotions.

There're a lot of emotions that can contribute to or cause us to feel stuck. Here are some of the biggest culprits:

• Disappointment - Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope." Yes, disappointment happens, but it's not forever.
• Unrealized Expectations - Wow, expectations will get us every time...when the distance between our ideal and the real is too much to take.
• Doubt - Whether it's self-doubt or doubting God's plans, His care or His desires for you.
• Disorganization - 1 Cor. 14:33 reminds us, "God is not a God of confusion but of peace."
• Fear - Yes, there's a lot going on in the world around us. And if we're choosing to focus on the news and the pundits instead of God, then no wonder we're racked by fear.
• Pride - There's a reason why Proverbs 16:18 tells us that, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." We can become literal victims of our pride. We chose to die on a particular mountain and then our pride keeps us stuck there.

So really, the first step, before we can even attempt to move from our current position, is to look up!

When we’re gripped by one or several of the negative emotions that I just ran through, our gaze is often diverted from God.

But, God wants you to know right now that he is close to the brokenhearted and he saves those who are crushed in spirit.