It is that time of year again. Tonight is the night to spring those clocks forward. As I reflected on it’s time to advance the clocks, I began to think about what other areas of my life do I need to spring forward. Cause truth be told, as life goes along there are places I tend to get stuck.
- 1. I tend to get stuck in a particular way of thinking or attitude.
In all honesty there are times I just think way too much. I mull something over and over in mind coming up with all the wrong conclusions. Other times we can get stuck in the I can’t way of thinking. Nothing hinders progress worse than starting out with the wrong mindset. There are tons of attitudes that we often clutch onto that hinders us such as:
unforgiveness, bitterness, jealousy, despair, anger, sorrow
2. I tend to get stuck in a particular routine.
- Yep I can be a sucker for routine at times. I like to know what to expect. But the routines of life can leave us feeling in a rut. Even in our spiritual life when can get in a rut. Doing all the same religious activities, singing the same hymns, reading the same words and making the same confessions yet getting no where
But the good news is I do not have to stay stuck there. I can choose to think differently. I can dust myself off and change my routine up. The first key to getting out of rut is to realize you have fallen into one.
Rut-Breaking Ways
- Acknowledge that you have fallen into a rut
- Focus on changing your thought patterns with scripture based phrases.
- Speak declarations out verbally when you find yourself repeating negative thoughts
- Get away to a different scenery when possible
- If you are used to praying verbally try writing your prayers instead
- Change the time of day of your quiet time
- Reconnect with your inner self and God by seeking solitude when possible
- Pick a different translation of the Bible to do your reading from for awhile
Are there some attitudes or routines that you need to spring forward out of or into? What ways have you successfully navigated out of a rut?
Other articles about getting out of ruts:
How to Get Unstuck From a Spiritual Rut at Molding Moments
How to Get Out of a Rut at Interpulpit
I guess I’m still in a rut, but at least now I know it. Hopefully I can get out soon. I’m trying some different things on the job front. Yay!
Elizabeth West recently posted..New Blog and the Saga of the Garage Sale Leftovers
Knowing it is part of the battle Elizabeth. We can’t tackle what we are unaware of. Wishing you much success in the new things you are doing on the job front.
I very often feel in a rut but then I think about my late husband who only lived to see one of our grandchildren and that was only for the first two months of his life. Though I only see one of mine as eldest son is still not speaking I have made the decison to try and contact my ex daughter in law to ask if I can see my three grandchildren. I know it won’t be liked by my son but I love my grandchildren and I owe it to my husband to do the right thing for me.
Yvonne.
I pray that you will be able to connect with your grandchildren through that means Yvonne. I sure they miss your presence in their lives.
This was a great post. And yes, I really identify with it. I tend to be a *rut person* too! I find comfort and security in routine – whether it’s a mindset or a habit. (And yes, Wanda, I am queen of the mulling-things-over crowd!!)
However, I am finding that God needs to jostle, jiggle, sometimes jolt me out of those comfort zones. Because when He has work to do in me and through me, the “old ways” just don’t work.
GOD BLESS!
Sharon recently posted..BIBLE PICK ‘EMS – The One and Only
Yes God sure knows how to give us a swift kick we needed 😉
Woe Wanda….I needed to read this b/c I get stuck in attitudes that just don’t work for me anymore. great post.
Nice to know we are not alone in that. Wishing you all the best as you work on getting out of the rut.
I have been using a few different Bible translations…it does help me to see things in a new way!
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This year I have been using a chronological Bible to try to switch things up for me.
Hi Wanda,
I do think it is the season of ruts. We are between winter’s finale and spring’s rebirth. It is time to dust ourselves off and try something new. I find I talk myself out of what I want to do all the time, it is too messy, family isn’t supportive, blah, blah Sometimes we have to listen to the inner voice that guides us!
Thanks for a great reminder to make things anew! 😀
ella recently posted..Marian’s Music Prompt n’ Mini Photo Challenge
Hi Ella, it’s something about spring that makes us want to kick out of old things. New possibilities are on the horizons, which can be interesting but also intimidating. Wishing you all the best in your pursuits.
Wanda,
I tend to get stuck in ruts too, but God likes to change it up a bit from time to time, take us out of our comfort zone and into the unknown, that makes me anxious.
Blessings to you.
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You’re right Kandi, he does change things up. Although I’m kicking and screaming at times when He switches things up on me.
Hi Wanda –
Indeed, we’re all works in progress. But we are to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus – Philippians 3:14.
Some tasks are more challenging than others but we are well able to overcome…Number 13:30.
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During those difficult times it’s important that we cling onto His promises of victory for us in all circumstances. As Romans 8:37 sayNo, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.(NLT)
Oh my,my,my!
Wanda yet another of your posts that resonates with me. – God is sooo good.
My jaws dropped as I read this post this morning. It was as if you were in ‘my business!’
I have felt as if I was in a rut over the past month.
I have encouraged myself in the Lord and slowly climbed out of this rut, already following SIX of the rut breaking ways which you have described.
Hooray! I give God the glory – this is confirmation that I am on the right track and I am going to follow the other two ways you mentioned.
Bless you.
Carole in the UK recently posted..Are You A Chronic Complainer?