Are You Feeling Stuck?
As a writer, it’s been a while since I’ve been able to accomplish anything. No matter how hard I try, it simply doesn’t happen. I struggle to get over the first hurdle—motivation. Life has squeezed every drop of my creativity. When people ask, Are you feeling stuck? – My response is, ‘I’m empty.’
Whether it’s because pistons aren’t firing or my well is dry, the result is the same. I got nothin’.
There is an epidemic of feeling stuck all around us. All around me I hear the same thing— people are ready to quit. The news tells of pastors thinking of stepping down. Teachers are leaving the profession. Medical professionals are leaving their practices. Writers I know struggle to fill a page. There is a sense of loss—of hope, energy—and a concern for the future.
Are You #FeelingStuck and #ineffective? God has designed us to be creative. But being stuck short circuits creativity and energy Click To Tweet
Life is full of heart-wrenching events. When they short-circuit our minds, it is difficult to focus on the things we want to do—the things we have been called to do. Instead, our energy is sapped. Our concentration is clouded. Ideas seem too heavy to pursue.
So, books go unwritten. Projects remain dormant. Everything is put off until someday, but will someday ever come?
We need to engage in a dialogue with one another to ask the question:
How do we get unstuck?
There is an #epidemic of #feelingstuck all around us. How do we get unstuck? #PausingToSeeGodClearly Click To Tweet
When we struggle, we have a hard time seeing options. Our view gets myopic and our world shrinks to our four walls. It’s almost impossible to brainstorm about a brighter future on our own. But we can’t quit.
There’s Good News!
The good news is, that God has designed us to live, love, and serve in community. We need one another, especially in times like these. As we interact with others, we can help one another recognize the things that weigh us down so we can address them objectively.
The most dangerous foe we have in this area is the enemy of our soul. Satan wants nothing more than to keep God’s children distracted and discouraged because it keeps us ineffective. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6, to stand firm against the enemy and his schemes and put on the armor of God. So our first step is always to determine if it’s a spiritual battle.
Satan wants nothing more than to keep God's children #distracted, #discouraged, and defeated because it keeps us ineffective. #PausingToSeeGodClearly Click To Tweet
Questions to ponder when you’re spiritually stuck:
- How might your thinking be distorted from what God says in His word?
- What lies do you believe about your situation?
As we become transparent in our community, we can determine our need for spiritual rest or when it’s time to raise our shield of faith to deflect the enemy’s arrows. We need both to free us from the epidemic of stuck that pervades our world.
Questions to ponder when you need to replenish strength:
- What are some ways that you slow down, and be kind to yourself?
- Are you practicing self-care? How does it refuel your energy?
- If your life is a three-legged stool (physical, emotional, and spiritual) how can you stay balanced?
My journey through being stuck hasn’t been easy. Praying for you as you find your way to freedom and joy in Christ.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. And join me next time for part two of this topic: Staying Creative & Productive When We’re Stuck
Until next time,
Jeanne
Would You Like to Receive My Blog Posts by Email
Want to receive posts like this by email, Subscribe Here and enjoy my gift of a mini word study. And, enjoy Lisa Joy’s beautiful handcrafted coloring page.
Does your life need a pause button?
Interested in the Pausing for R & R Retreat? Sign Up to receive updates and news about future plans for our next getaway.
For FREE devotional and Bible study materials (including my video study in John 15, Abiding in the True Vine: Producing fruit that lasts) be sure to Visit my Resource Page for Free Downloads.
Your Gifts to this ministry are not tax-deductible but very appreciated. You can donate through Paypal. Thank you.
My Suggested Amazon Resources (Affiliate links: means any order placed through one of my links, earns a small commission, and helps this ministry at no extra cost to you) Thank you.
Hey Jeanne,
What a timely message. I confess I too am rowing in circles in the “sea of stuck.” Sometimes prayer or reading the word isn’t enough. I find singing along with some of my favorite Christian artist’s music is helpful or listening to encouraging messages. It’s comforting to know that even in those stuck places, God is sitting with me, knowing where I am at and willing to meet me there.
I love this, Sheree! Yes, He meets with us in silence. He meets us in our praise. In worship. In sorrow. In pain. We tend to put parameters on what pleases Him. He does not. Thanks for your thoughts–
I’ve sure had those seasons in the past Ms. Jeanne, and yes, they can suck the joy out of you and your passion for writing, woodturning, or even cattle. What I’ve been learning is that God allows those seasons (in my life anyway) because He needs to get my attention and focus back on Him. What I’ve often found is that in that “quiet period” is when I reach out to Him to ask what He wants to teach me or show me. It almost always shows up and it prepares me for the next part of my journey in faith. I just wish I would quit trying to struggle myself through it and turn to Him more quickly. 🙂 It would probably save both God and me some frustration.
Love your thoughts on this, J.D. Wininger. I have been through these seasons in the past (as well as the present) and I think you are right. He is all about the relationship!!
Thank you for your timely topic, Jeanne. Blessings.
You’re welcome, Diana. And thank you for stopping in today.
Jeanne, I so resonate with our need for community at times like this. I’ve found repeatedly that when I cannot light my own fire, I’m stirred and renewed when I turn to help someone else. Thanks for this post.
Terry, thanks for your thoughts on this topic. I do think the analogy of a single hot coal growing cold, is proof that we need one another to fuel and fan the flames our faith fires. Two are better than one as they say. And sharing our journey with one another is definitely empowering.