“Pastor John, I feel stuck.” I hear these words often when I meet with people to discuss their spiritual life. It’s not that they want to plateau in their faith, they just “hit the wall.” Maybe they hit the wall because God isn’t answering their prayers like they think he should. Lingering unemployment, a nagging health problem, family troubles, you name it, all can cause us to hit the wall and wonder if God is even listening. Others hit the wall when they feel like they have stopped growing. Church doesn’t feel as inspiring as it once did; the Bible doesn’t seem as relevant as it used to be; and maybe the desire to share your faith just isn’t there since you don’t feel that excited about where you are at. All of these feelings make us feel like we hit the wall.
Every runner knows what it feels like to hit the wall. It might be at mile one or two or even mile five, but the wall is there and you know when you hit it. Your legs feel like they are going to fall off, everything hurts, your side aches, and your head feels like a bowling ball supported by marshmallows. But the wall is real and as soon as you hit it you have a choice to make. You can either quit running and recover or push through it and press on. Many new runners quit as soon as they hit the wall because they don’t have the mental stamina to push through it. Others quit because, well, it’s easier. Then there are those that push through and press on. These are the marathon runners and the triathlon athletes and the extreme obstacles course participants. These are the people that finish strong and never quit before the race is over.
The same is true for us when we “hit the wall” in our spiritual life. We can either push through it and keep going or quit. Unfortunately, I have seen way too many people quit. Some become cynical, some leave the church, and some even leave the faith. But the Scriptures clearly tell us what to do: KEEP RUNNING!
The Apostle Paul says: “1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.” Hebrews 12:1-3
In my own life I have hit the wall a few times. Here is what I have done to work through it.
1. Dig deeper into God’s word.
Pick a book like James or Galatians and ask introspective questions after each chapter. Am I doing this? Do I have these thoughts? Have I acted in this manner? After reading this, what could I have done differently? These types of questions will get you to react with God’s word on a deeper level.
2. Read a book that deals with spirituality.
This past month I have been reading a book that has challenged my thinking in many new ways. It has helped me understand God on a deeper level. That new level keeps me fired up to keep running the race.
3. Change your routine.
Join a small group or try serving with a new ministry. New challenges bring new life. I enjoy new challenges so whenever I feel stuck one of the first things I look at is changing my routine. And whenever I step into a new area I always see God from a different perspective.
4. Pray expectantly.
Earnestly seek God in prayer then move when you feel like God is leading you. More often than not God answerers our prayers in ways that are different than what we expect. When you pray, pray expecting God to move and be attentive to when He is and react accordingly. For the past month I have prayed that God will do His will in my life and that I will have the ability to carry it out. Some really cool things have been happening, because I moved when God has called me to.
5. Go to church.
There is something about being around other believers that fires me up. Maybe it’s the stories I hear, the transformation that is taking place or just the corporate worship that melts away at my heart. Whatever the reason God uses His church to encourage and challenge His disciples to walk with Him and work with Him.
If you do these five things I know that you will be able to work through your wall when you hit it. And don’t think that you won’t hit the wall because everyone does. Your spiritual journey is a marathon and not a sprint so you will hit the wall from time to time. The same God that is in the Bible is in your life and He will give you the ability and the perseverance to run the race that He has called you to run. Christianity is not a spectator sport! All of us are called to run the race and to finish strong so let me encourage you to KEEP RUNNING!