Faith Matters Devotional with Brian and Andi Hale Don't Believe the Lie! Getting Unstuck by Meredith Schafer on Youversion The enemy would love to keep you from getting unstuck because that would mean you aren't making progress on the destiny the Lord has given you. He may whisper in your ear that you'll always be here, that there is no way out. He might tell you you're not good enough; you don't have enough education, you're too old, you're too poor, you don't have what it takes. He might make you believe that being stuck is the only thing you're good for. He is a liar! Some truth: You are a child of God. You are an heir to the throne. You were created for this moment to do whatever God has called you to do. Is This All There Is? One of the most insidious ways we get stuck is to buy into the lie that this is all there is. That the place you are now is the best you can hope for, so why bother trying anymore? This goes directly against the word of God that says, Never doubt God's mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you. (Ephesians 3:20 TPT) This isn't all there is, in this world or the next. God's plan for you is bigger and more amazing than ever imagined. Being stuck is just part of the journey, but it doesn't have to be all there is for you. God's promises are for you in this time and this season, no matter how deep that rut is that you're stuck in. His plans are good, and he is always working and moving to accomplish them. It doesn't matter how long you have been stuck, how difficult it will be to get unstuck, or how discouraged or disappointed you have become. God has the way out; he has the way forward. He is the Way. Action: Ask yourself what lies you have been believing. Then remind yourself of the promises in Ephesians 3:20 and Jeremiah 29:11. Read them aloud over and over if you need to until you believe what God says. Those promises are yours! Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, Ephesians 3:20 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 Prayer: God of the Way, I trust your plans are for me and my good, even if it doesn't feel like that right now. I may be stuck, but this isn't all there is, according to your words. I am clinging to your promises that you will help me get unstuck because your plans for me are good. Help me believe that you have more for me than this, and help me not to accept the lies of the enemy. Thank you for getting me unstuck! In Jesus' name, amen.

Guard Against Discouragement Getting Unstuck by Meredith Schafer on Youversion When we fail, when life doesn’t turn out the way we hope, or when someone lets us down, we can feel discouraged–that is a natural human response. We get stuck when we stay in that place of discouragement too long (or can’t figure out how to move out of it).There will be times when discouragement overwhelms us. But we can get unstuck when we begin to think about the things of God: things that are true, noble, lovely, excellent, and of good report, just as Philippians 4:8 reminds us. When we start meditating on those things instead of the ways we are disappointed, that can go a long way toward moving forward. Change Your Perspective If you want to supercharge getting unstuck, try to look at things from a new perspective. Did your best friend hurt your feelings? Zoom out to see if something else is going on. Were they having a bad day, or did their words come from their own place of hurt? Maybe you are discouraged because you didn’t get your dream job despite your best efforts or being qualified for it. If you can begin to look through the lens of gratitude for the ways God has shown up for you before, it can keep you from sitting in discouragement too long. Often, getting unstuck is as simple as changing our minds. Don’t get me wrong: It is ok to feel what you feel. You just can’t stay there. So, what are other ways to change your perspective? Ask a mentor or trusted friend what their thoughts on your situation are. Play worship music–it is hard to feel discouraged for too long when you begin to praise the Lord. Write out your frustrations; sometimes, dumping them out helps relieve the emotion surrounding them. It is so hard to feel stuck, but the good news is that you can take action to change your perspective. Getting unstuck may take some time, and it is usually a process, so don’t forget to give yourself a little grace. That, plus a new perspective, can open your eyes to the way out of the rut you find yourself in. Action: Journal your gratitude, reach out to a friend, pour your heart out to the Lord, or worship. Pick any one of these things to help walk you through the process of getting unstuck. For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Romans 15:4 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 Prayer: God of Heaven and earth, thank you for being with me even in the stuck places. You know the way out, and I put my trust in you. I know you will show me the next step at exactly the right time. Help me guard my heart against discouragement and help me change my perspective. Please show me what I am missing right now. Help me change my mind, in Jesus’ name. Amen!