Feeling Stuck? Here’s Help

I meet many people who feel like they are stuck at a crossroads in their life. Perhaps they are unemployed or in need of a new career. Or maybe they’re feeling paralyzed by a health challenge or trapped in a toxic relationship. And many people today seem stuck in an endless cycle of negative emotions, such as fear, anger, or depression.

No matter what the cause may be, it’s no fun to be stuck. Yet we’ve all felt that way at times. Fortunately, the Lord understands this plight, and He has a plan to help us get unstuck.

Acts 3 tells the story of a lame man who used to sit and beg outside the Temple gate. He had been lame from birth, so he didn’t really expect anything to change in his dismal circumstances.

Many Believers face a similar predicament today, feeling stuck in circumstances beyond their control. Instead of truly entering into God’s destiny for their lives, they are languishing outside the gate. And sadly, they’re still looking to other people as their source rather than trusting God as the One who will intervene in their situation and meet their need.

But the story of the lame man has a happy ending, and this can be true in your life as well…

God wants you to encounter His LOVE, so He can transform you by His POWER!

All the lame man could hope for that day was a handout, but God’s plan was to give him a hand UP. The man must have been shocked when Peter told him, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, RISE UP and walk!” (v. 6)

Peter then “took him by the right hand and lifted him UP, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength” (v. 7).

He Will Lift You Up!

My friend, no matter how long you’ve been paralyzed in some area of your life—such as your health, finances, emotions or relationships—God wants to lift you up today. Though you may have grown used to a life of sadness and regret, all that can change in a moment of time. Notice that it didn’t take years of therapy for the lame man to recover: God changed his life “immediately”!

The Lord wants to transform us from seeing ourselves as beggars, to realizing our birthright as His precious sons and daughters. When that happens, we go from sitting aimlessly to “walking, leaping, and praising God” (v. 8). And instead of remaining outside the gates of God’s purposes, we’ll finally enter in: “[He] stood and walked and entered the temple with them.”

Do you see what a testimony it is to others when we get unstuck from some difficult situation in our life? Just as happened with those who witnessed the healing of the lame man, those around us will be “filled with wonder and amazement” (v. 10). They’ll be filled with hope that what God has done for us, He can do for them as well.

The Day of Decision

I’ve found that many people are stuck at life’s crossroads because they are procrastinating about some important decision God wants them to make. You probably remember the story in 1 Kings 18 of the prophet Elijah confronting the nation of Israel about their failure to wholeheartedly follow the Lord.

The Israelites had become double-minded. They wanted to have it both ways, claiming to serve the Lord, but at the same time worshiping Baal and other false gods. Sounds a lot like many people today, doesn’t it?

Elijah challenged Israel to make a firm decision: “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him” (v. 21).

The man of God put their choice in very clear terms. There was no time for delay, no room for neutrality or “middle ground.” God would no longer tolerate their spiritual adultery and divided hearts.

When God’s fire came down and consumed Elijah’s sacrifice on the altar, the Israelites finally reached their verdict: “They fell on their faces; and they said, ‘The LORD, He is God; the LORD, He is God’” (v. 39).

Like the Israelites, many Believers today have committed spiritual adultery with the world. They “hesitate between two opinions.” What more must the Lord do to prove Himself to us? Are we waiting for fire to fall from the sky before we’ll give ourselves fully to Him?

Joel 3:14 provides a description of many people today: “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!” God is challenging us to repent from disobedience, lukewarmness, apathy and compromise and to heed the words of Joshua: “Choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).

Nothing will get you unstuck quicker than this kind of whole-hearted commitment to follow the Lord!

Your partner to reach the Lost,

David Cerullo