Have you ever found yourself feeling like you’re stuck in a rut that you just cannot dig out of? We all feel that way at some point in our lives. In those times it seems no matter how hard we fight and scratch and claw, getting back on our feet feels hopeless. But “let not your heart be troubled.” Our God is a compassionate God “who comforts us in all our tribulation” (2 Cor. 1:4). He has given us a manual for living and it includes information on how pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and get going again.
Stop Worrying. We do ourselves a great disservice whenever we stress ourselves out by worrying about things that either do not matter, or are beyond our control, or both. Paul wrote, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6). We are to cast all of our care upon God because He cares for us (1 Pet. 5:7). Do not worry about tomorrow (Matt. 6:34). Trust God, live faithfully, and let Him do the rest.
Get Busy. Idleness is a shovel that keeps digging the pit of despair. We ought to be like the apostle Paul. His plans to preach in Spain via Rome and Jerusalem did not work out as he wanted (cf. Rom. 15:22-33). He found himself under house arrest in Rome but instead of sitting and waiting, he kept working (Acts 28:30-31). In fact, it was during that period of his life that he wrote, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14). Nothing will get you going again like a good set of busy hands.
Trust the Lord. When Paul wrote that “God comforts us” he meant that God gives us what we need to get up and get going again. Our strength comes from Him (Ps. 18:2). He has promised that He will never leave nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5), and that all things will work out for the good for those who love Him (Rom. 8:28). No matter what happens, put your faith in God and trust that He will take care of you.