Discover uplifting guidance on how to move forward when you feel stuck, rooted in Christian principles. Learn how to embrace God’s plan and find renewed purpose in your journey.
How to Move Forward When You Feel Stuck
Try to pronounce this word with me: UH-SEE-DEE-UH. One more time, UH-SEE-DEE-UH.
You, my friend, have pronounced the Greek word acedia. It means a lack or absence of care. The first vowel, the letter a has a standalone meaning – to be without. The other part of the word represents the Greek word kedos, which means – to care.
Did you know ancient monks coined this term to describe someone who has become like a spiritual sloth or who is contently blind?
Having grown up in a church environment, I’ve never encountered anyone calling someone a “spiritual sloth.” However, I think we can easily understand what that term implies. In my head, I believe it to be someone who is slow to step out in faith. Maybe they are cautiously optimistic about taking a gigantic leap of faith. They know God is the director of their life, yet hold on to moving forward because what they know is better than what they don’t know.
Often I can sense that as Christian believers, we have, at some point in our faith journey, become too comfortable.
Being Content Versus Being Comfortable
Being content in our current circumstances is a blessing from God. It’s wonderful to acknowledge God first in every situation, trusting He is in control. The awesomeness of His peace helps us to endure whatever we are facing.
However, I don’t want to gloss over this fact. We love our comfort too. Which is much different from being content. “Content” refers to a state of satisfaction or acceptance with one’s current situation, whereas “comfort” primarily relates to physical ease and convenience.
I don’t have to explain to you that we live in a chaotic world. To find relief from daily stress, we seek to find inner peace to relax from the day’s instability. However, we can sometimes extend our quest for comfort to such an extent that it becomes dangerous.
You may be wondering, “Jen, what do you mean, comfort can be dangerous?” Great question!
What Makes Comfort Potentially Hazardous?
In a nutshell, comfort can lead to self-restricting limits and can immobilize us from moving forward.
What if (for example) you work in a toxic environment, but have security? You have an existing and well-established 401K plan with fantastic employee benefits. Would you change jobs if God was directing you elsewhere? I know you are probably thinking, of course I would. But many of us are currently sitting in this same situation, not wanting to move because of acedia.
We remain cautiously optimistic about making that leap. What if God could change our current situation around at work? Then we would have a win/win situation. A great place to work, plus all the benefits. Answer this question for me. Are your plans better than the plans God has for you?
God knows best in every situation and in every detail of our lives. I have heard this phrase said repeatedly; “it is better to know the devil in front of you than the devil you don’t know”. My friend, no truer words speak than God’s favor in our lives. He will take us on a much-needed journey, even when we lack understanding of His direction.
God doesn’t procrastinate. We do! We wonder about redirecting our current situation into a better one based on what we would like. Staying put may have its advantages, but moving when God nudges us will always be better. He knows what we don’t.
How To Get Unstuck
Sometimes, when we get stuck, it is the very thing we have to go through to get unstuck. Remember how we became comfortable in our standing because our analysis proved that staying put was better than moving forward? Yet, God has remained faithful and has continuously sent you nudges. Reading this article was not a coincidence.
- Pray for Guidance: Turn to God in prayer. Keep seeking His wisdom and direction. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us to present our requests to God, assuring us that His peace will guard our hearts and minds. Take time to listen for His voice and be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit as you seek clarity and purpose.
- Reflect on Scripture: Open your Bible for encouragement and insight. Verses like Jeremiah 29:11 remind us that God has a plan for our lives, filled with hope and a future. Meditating on scripture can help shift your perspective.
- Seek Community Support: Connect with fellow believers who can provide encouragement, prayer, and accountability. Hebrews 10:24-25 emphasizes the importance of gathering together and uplifting one another. Sharing your struggles and seeking advice from trusted friends or mentors can provide fresh perspectives and remind you that you are not alone on your journey.
Don’t allow acedia to get in the way of God’s plans for our lives. I want to help by providing you with another great resource – a book recommendation.
This past April, I had the pleasure of attending a women’s conference. After checking in, I was handed a book. Again, it was no coincidence. This book (God bless the woman who picked it out) titled Finding Favor, is an excellent look at how God blesses us in ways that are best for us, whether we are currently sitting on the mountaintop or walking in a valley.
If you are struggling with acedia or are currently struggling in a valley. I highly recommend this book.
Let’s Pray Together
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for being the author of our lives. We look to you when we don’t understand and right now we are having a hard time understanding our next steps. Lord, please continue to give us those nudges, but more importantly, take what little faith we have and expand on it. Help us to grow closer to you through our current situation. We know your ways are best. Today, we are at peace knowing all things work out for those who believe in your name.
In this, we ask in your precious name, Jesus. Amen!
Read More on Jen Schreiner
- How to Move Forward When You Feel Stuck
- Recognizing Our True Enemy: A Call to Focus on Faith
- The Power of Godly Friendships – 5 Key Qualities
- Why Isn’t God Answering My Prayers
- 5 Astonishing Facts About God
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