Get unstuck
"Those who are motivated by the flesh only pursue what benefits themselves. But those who live by the impulses of the Holy Spirit are motivated to pursue spiritual realities." Romans 8:5-6
If you're going through a difficult season and feel stuck, I want to present you with an idea of something that may help you get unstuck.
I was reading Romans 8, and this particular verse stuck out. So I decided to write a list of my flesh's pursuits versus those led by spiritual truth and compare. The contrast was dramatically different.
This exercise allowed me to reframe my mindset and start meditating on what was true—ultimately leading my heart to be filled with peace.
Here is an example of what this may look like:
Pursuits/Thoughts of the flesh:
I don't want to be in pain anymore.
I, therefore, move into self-sufficiency to try and stop the pain. A few examples would be, binging Netflix, overly focusing on others, perfectionism, or living deeply depressed.
God doesn't care about me.
If I start viewing anything from this lens, it starts to put into question all of God's character. If he doesn't care about me, then I can conclude he isn't trustworthy, faithful, or has completely given up on me.
I have no choice but to live in despair.
Other self-sufficient behavioral examples: Keeping others at a distance/shut out, addictions, over/under eating, or constantly trying to "figure out why" as a means of finding the quickest way out of pain. Perhaps you try to muster up your own strength to get through. All this leads us to make decisions out of fear rather than wisdom.
When we move to self-sufficiency, it's as if we are (often subconsciously) telling the Lord He's incapable of sustaining us so we will do it ourselves.
Trying to live independently would be like watching my toddler try to swim with no floaties or my presence to keep him afloat. He's going to drown real fast!
Pursuits/Thoughts lead by the Spirit:
The Lord is and will continually sustain me. Psalm 3:5
The Lord goes before me and behind me. He will never leave me. Deut. 31:8
I'm not alone in this pain. Isaiah 41:10
God will fulfill his promises to me. Joshua 21:45
His ways are not my ways and his thoughts are not my thoughts. He knows what he is doing. What seems to be a lack of action on his part is my human perspective, not an actual reflection of his character and abilities. Isaiah 55:8-9
I am not forgotten. He's with me and intimately involved in my circumstances. 1 Peter 1:2
He is worthy of praise regardless of outcomes. Rev. 4:11
I will see the goodness of God. Ps. 27:13
Can you feel the difference?
I will ultimately fail when I look for evidence of God's character through the lens of my circumstances. As humans, we aren't capable of understanding all that he does. But when I view my circumstances through the lens of what is already true of him, it changes everything.
Want more? Sign up for my email list, where I aspire to send you monthly emails that help cultivate your relationship with Jesus.
When you sign up, you'll receive a freebie I created. It's a "cheat sheet" to help you identify a lie your heart may believe, countered with the truth you can meditate on.