Are you a “solvent” in sticky situations?? A wiggler-out-of uncomfortable or unwanted circumstances? A doggedly determined person whose default is “I’m gonna get myself out of this mess” when things have gone sideways and you have no idea why?

That’s my usual response to any obstacle. It’s often a good thing to have bulldog determination when you get stuck. But sometimes you can’t get yourself UNSTUCK. No matter how hard you try.

Often times, when confronted by a maze of mysteries and unresolved questions, I end up going in circles getting more and more wound up.

I feel like—what one fellow CBS core member described—a Roomba stuck in the corner of a room, unable to carry on with its pre-programmed mission.

(I like that analogy because the Roomba cannot get unstuck on its own. A “higher power” has to reach down, pick it up and set it heading in the right direction.)

Earlier this year, a few small snags threatened to derail my normal humming right along pace; I “banged my head against the wall” completely wasting valuable time and energy, until I finally realized I should have done this instead:

“Stop, Drop and Pray” RIGHT AWAY—as soon as I encounter any resistance to my own problem-solving effort.

How simple! And by and large it really works because God is real and loves to answer prayers big and small. Kind of like a Dad happy to step in for his little one who needs help.

Photo by Kai Pilger on Unsplash

More recently, however, I could NOT extricate myself from the corner of unresolvable issues.  A myriad of stuff, big and small, had led me into enemy camp where I fed my cynicism, negativity, anger. I nursed my hurt feelings by rehashing what went down which only led to confusion, depression and hopelessness.

To be honest, I’m still struggling.

WHY did this even happen? HOW will this ever change? WHEN will I finally feel better?

So I sat with the One who knows the answer to each of these mysteries. So far, here’s what I’m (reluctantly) thinking I need to do:

Say Yes To God. Say yes to dealing with the hard things that He asks me to deal with—His way, not my way.

Realize Who The Real Enemy Is.  Ephesians 6:12 says “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Trust That He Has A Bigger Purpose behind my unresolved issues. Heavy problems are sometimes thrust upon us over and over to increase our lifting ability. James 1:2-3 NIV says “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

(Yeah, I really hate that one right now…)

Make The Right Comparisons. Sometimes freedom from feeling sorry for yourself DOES come from comparison—as long as it’s with others whose problems are A LOT more serious than your own.

My own nagging, unrelenting, not going away feelings of disillusionment were put in perspective this past weekend when we sat through a riveting, heart wrenching movie about the human trafficking of children—The Sound Of Freedom. 

Remember That Jesus Does Not Give Up On Us. Before I knew Him, I was hard work. Funny but unkind. Successful but prideful. Colorful imagination but black and white thinker. Privileged but stingy. Receiver of kindness but ungrateful. Hang ’em high. Three strikes and you’re out. It was all for one and one for all and that ONE was—me, me, me!

But God demonstrated his own love for us in this way; While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)

When I was a teenager, God removed my heart of stone and gave me His heart of flesh. I am still hard work in many ways but a lot softer in many ways, too. My fighting spirit is something I will always struggle with. But as Alicia Bruxvoort wrote in an earlier post, God’s not finished with me yet. (Scroll through British Artist Jane Perkins stunning art made up of broken bits and bobs) Here are just a few of my favorites. They remind me that God can rearrange the seemingly wasted pieces of my life into a thing of beauty.

Move in the direction that God wants, even before you feel like it. Even when you “don’t wanna.” Jesus chose the cross. He “didn’t wanna” but He did it anyway, to please the Father. “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)

Keep choosing the good way. This is what the LORD says: Stand at the crossroads and look;…Ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. (Jeremiah 6:16) Like everything in this temporary life—think laundry, dishes, personal hygiene—it’s not one and done. Jesus reminded his disciples; In this world we will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33) Daily, hourly, moment by moment, choose this day whom you will serve. (Joshua 24:15)

So, to summarize, He CAN release my feet from the snare of being stuck. (Psalm 25:15) He CAN lift me out of the miry clay and set my feet upon the rock. (Psalm 40:2) He CAN set me free. (John 8:36)

Getting UNSTUCK, though, unlike the Roomba analogy, not only involves God’s part but also comes down to my part. It involves yielding my will to His, choosing to do those things God has already shown me.

Only then will I walk out of that snare and be able to leap with joy, once again. (Psalm 18:29-30)

Dublin, Ireland – June 2023

See As You See by Jason Gray

Truth Be Told by Matthew West

Rest by TobyMac, Terrian, Gabe Real

Same God by Hannah Kerr

Featured Image: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-person-s-feet-stuck-on-a-net-7207368/