When You Feel Stuck (Part 3)

Click here to read part 1 and click here for part 2.

I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t overthink things. As a child, I was always one to analyze the details. I was a strong reader and writer, motivated to discover and learn. Languages and logic became interests, which eventually led me to my career.

It’s hard to break this cycle when it’s all you know and remember. You have to consciously learn new ways and form new habits. It’s a process, for sure, and it’s hardly ever perfect. Progress doesn’t have to be linear to be progress.

I think about all the detours I’ve taken to get to where I am today. All the unplanned places I ended up in, which only seemed further from my calling. God was surely in each minute and every place with me. And the more I look at my life, the more I relate to Joseph. His story can be found in Genesis 37-50.

“Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more.” - Genesis 37:5 (ESV)

Joseph had dreams of being in authority. Yet he was the youngest son. In those days, Joseph’s status in the family was the lowest, despite his father’s love and favor for him. Here he was, the servant of the family with a calling to be in power. His brothers hated him for it. They didn’t want Joseph, their younger brother, to rule over them. Immediately, Joseph faced opposition. His brothers didn’t want his calling to threaten their hunger for control…especially when his calling broke the cultural mold.

Joseph had a confirmed calling to be in authority. But after he gets this dream, his life took some unexpected turns.

• Joseph’s brothers plotted to kill him, but instead of death, they left him in a pit. They returned home, acting as if their brother had been devoured by a wild animal. (Genesis 37:18-24, 29-35)
• Joseph was rescued from the pit and bought into slavery in Egypt. He served Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officers. (Genesis 37:28, 36)
• Joseph is put in charge at Potiphar’s house. (Genesis 39:1-6) This is an opportunity for Joseph to be a leader, just not in the way he expected.
• Potiphar’s wife tries to seduce Joseph, who refuses to give in to her desire. She wrongfully accuses him of adultery (Genesis 39:11-19). Joseph is thrown into prison for a crime he never committed (Genesis 39:20).
• Joseph is given a leadership opportunity in the prison and the Lord was with him. (Genesis 39:21-23) Again, this isn’t the fulfillment of Joseph’s dream, but it advances his progress to getting there.
• In prison, Joseph interprets dreams for the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt. The cupbearer promises to remember Joseph and have him freed, but he forgets for two years. (Genesis 40-41:1)
• Pharaoh has a dream and the cupbearer remembers Joseph. He is finally freed from prison and interprets Pharaoh’s dream. (Genesis 41:1-36)
• Joseph is appointed to be second in command of Egypt, just below Pharaoh. (Genesis 41:37-45)
• The years of plenty and famine come to pass, and because of Joseph’s preparation, Egypt is able to survive the famine (Genesis 41:53-56). 
• The famine drives Joseph’s brothers to go to Egypt for food. (Genesis 42) Joseph knows that the Lord put him in this position to be able to provide for them. (Genesis 45:7) This opportunity also leads to forgiveness and reconciliation, where Joseph sees the greater work God has been doing – saving others and making good from an unfavorable circumstance. (Genesis 50:20)

Joseph started with a dream. But his journey was far from an easy point A to point B commute. He didn’t expect or plan for things to turn out as they had, but it was clear that God intended for Joseph’s life to be this way. Not the suffering, but for the saving. For the greater good.

In the day-to-day walk, Joseph may have been discouraged in his calling. Maybe he questioned his purpose. We have the privilege of knowing the beginning to the end, noting how each step prepared him for the greater role he later took on. But when it’s our lives and circumstances in real time, walking through each day in what feels like the opposite of our calling can seem impossible. Sometimes we feel stuck in that prison, trapped in the well. Maybe we feel unseen, unheard, and forgotten.

People can make us feel insecure. Circumstances may cause us to feel inadequate. But while Joseph was in the prison, he was never alone. He had favor because the Lord was with him. Joseph was already accepted, already protected, and already loved.

“But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” - Genesis 39:21 (ESV, emphasis mine)

“ The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.” - Genesis 39:23 (ESV, emphasis mine)

The same remains true for us today. God is always near to us; we just need to draw near to him. (James 4:8)

The Lord knows. The Lord remembers. And He already has a perfect plan for your life. Are you willing to surrender your ways and your timeline for what He’s about to do? Are you ready to give up control – in actions and thoughts – to submit to His ways?

The detours aren’t meant to discourage. They aren’t meant to detain. The detours, every unexpected curve, hill, and turn, further develop you for your dream. Maybe it’s to grow your patience or endurance. Maybe it’s to refine your skills before stepping into a larger leadership or ministry role. Friend, I don’t know what your story is or why you feel stuck. But I do know that, because of the Lord’s calling on your life, you are exactly where you are supposed to be.

Reflect:

1. When you feel stuck, ask yourself:

• Who am I obeying?
• What thoughts am I entertaining?
• What sin may be holding me back from full surrender to God?

2. If you find yourself falling deeper into this rut, try these strategies:

• Surrender any idols
• Call on your community
• Pray for God to bring new things, opportunities, and people into your life
• Seek a trusted Christian counselor/therapist
• Be open. God often works in the unexpected.
• Pray, even when it’s hard
• Just get up, even when sitting seems easier

3. If you are struggling to remember where God has taken you, make a timeline and point out where God has used even the smallest things to prepare you for your calling. Part of my testimony might look like:

• Summer 2021: I volunteered at my church offices
  • I learned how to use Canva and stayed rooted in God’s Word during a difficult season.
  • I made new friends and developed stronger relationships with godly people, who could encourage me.

• Fall 2021: I started writing devotions publicly
  • I needed Canva for my social media and blog posts
  • I needed knowledge of Scripture to be able to accurately write about it
  • I knew God called me to write and I had others agreeing and praying with me as I pursued this ministry

This post is the conclusion of “When You Feel Stuck.” We just looked at 3 biblical examples of what it means to be powerful in the Lord when you feel powerless to change. Download my free resource “Guide to Getting Un-Stuck” below!

How to use this resource: 

1. When you find yourself feeling stuck, begin with identifying what is causing that feeling for you. It may be one thing or many things.

2. Weigh out your options. What does the enemy want you to do? What do you want to do? What has God called you to do or be in this situation? Has He given you any specific words to cling to recently? If you can’t figure out what your choices are, seek the Lord in prayer.

3. What are your next steps? While you can’t control your circumstances, you can control how you respond to them. Will you pray or seek out a counselor? Will you call a friend any time something triggers you? Write down your battle plan here. If you can’t figure out what your next steps are, seek the Lord in prayer.

4. Scripture: Copy down a meaningful verse or two to help you fight feeling powerless and to encourage you to keep strong in your faith.

5. Prayer: Write a prayer to God, asking for what you need at this time. Praise him for who he is and who he is to you personally.

Refer back to this guide or fill out a new one when you feel stuck. You may also want to invite a trusted friend or mentor to hold you accountable and support you.

Let me know if this resource is a blessing to you!