Stuck In ReverseSample

Plotting the Right Course

Is there a way to move our lives out of reverse and into a forward gear? Yes, there is. And there are several ways we can accomplish this.

1. Ask God to teach you about His personal and intimate love. Often the reason we begin to live life in reverse is because we fail to understand just how much God loves us (Jer. 31:3). We cannot fully grasp His vision for our lives until we take time to get to know Him. When we do, we discover His love for us is greater than anything we’ve known.

2. Realize God created you for a purpose. God has a plan for your life, no matter who you are or what you’ve done in the past. He created you for His glory and also to do good works (Eph. 2:10). It doesn’t matter if you’re 5 or 95 — God uses those whose lives are devoted to Him. And the greatest joy and sense of peace you’ll experience is found in doing God’s will.

3. Pray that God will give you a deep, abiding love for His Word. One of the surest ways to shift out of reverse and into drive spiritually is to begin spending time in prayer and reading God’s Word (Josh. 1:8). When you study God’s Word, you begin to build truth into your life as God’s Spirit teaches you more about Him. 

4. Trust God for your future. God knows all things (Ps. 139:1-6). He sees the beginning from the end. When we pray and ask Him to provide insight into our circumstances, He will. He has the ultimate knowledge we need for every step we take in life. God never forgets His promises. 

If in the past you’ve hesitated in fear and doubted God’s goodness or found it difficult to trust Him, take a step of faith and move in the direction you sense God’s calling you to go. He’ll not only meet you along the path, He’ll take your hand and guide you to the very place He’s planned for you to be. Others who don’t know His will for your life may seek to influence you. But only God knows the plans He has for you, and He only wants what’s best for you.

With this in mind, let me ask you: What’s holding you back from giving your life completely to Him? Is there anything this world has to offer that God cannot provide? There’s nothing. Love, hope, security, a future, protection, and provision for all your needs—all you could hope to have and experience is wrapped up in Jesus Christ. Will you give Him your life and allow Him to move you forward to a wondrous new place of blessings?