Feeling Stuck?
We spend a lot of our lives stuck … at least, we feel as if we’re stuck.
We drive to work and get stuck in traffic. We finally arrive, only to remember that we’re stuck in a frustrating job. We bump into someone at church and get stuck in conversation. Maybe because the church we’ve joined is stuck in controversy.
Maybe we’re stuck with an underperforming mutual fund. Or stuck with a body that just can’t stay healthy. Or stuck with extended family members who aren’t pleasant to be around.
Feeling stuck can be disconcerting, irritating, or depressing. But I want to suggest that feeling stuck may actually be healthy for a Christian, if we think about it biblically. Here are 4 reasons why:
1. Feeling stuck reminds us that God is most important.
Feeling stuck often reveals how highly we think of ourselves and what we think we’re entitled to. When we get angry in traffic, we’re declaring that no one deserves to be on the road more than us. The spiritual reality of the universe, however, is that we’re never on center stage; this world was created to serve and celebrate its Creator (Psalm 19:1).
2. Feeling stuck reminds us that God is in control.
If we were in control of our life and could do whatever we pleased, we would never get stuck in the first place. So feeling stuck reminds us that we don’t have ultimate power and sovereignty. That’s a beautiful reality check. Why? Because there is One who does whatever He pleases (Psalm 115:3), and He is the definition of everything that’s good and wise and right and true.
3. Feeling stuck reminds us that the final chapter of our story has not yet unfolded.
We don’t have the ability to zoom out and see the full trajectory of our life story. We’re also trapped by momentary desires and often fail to think long-term. But God has already determined the exact path we will walk, and how that path will result in His glory and our good (Genesis 50:20). We could never write an autobiography that would accomplish what His story already has, and will, accomplish.
4. Feeling stuck reminds us that we still have weak faith.
When we’re honest, we should be able to admit that we don’t love God’s will as much as we say we do and that we don’t trust His plan as much as we think we do. And since the Father gives generously to those who are lacking (James 1:5), we should use feeling stuck as an opportunity to run to Him with our questions and doubt, not away from Him.
So the next time you feel stuck, don’t give way to panic, doubt, anger, depression or guilt. You feel stuck because a good and loving God is reminding you of who He is, who you are, and who’s in charge. He has a plan, and His plan is wise and good, better than anything you could ever dream up.
The next time you feel stuck, rest. Not because you know what’s happening, but because you commune with the One who’s in control of what’s happening to you right now. Rest because He’s included you in something wonderful, even though in the moment it feels as if you’re stuck.
God bless
Paul Tripp
Reflection Questions
- Where do you feel stuck in life right now?
- How are you responding to feeling stuck? Be specific.
- What may God be trying to teach you by allowing you to feel stuck?