7 Bible Verses About Being Stuck (and Tips for Breaking Free)
Somewhere along the thin line between night’s inky darkness and the hoary glow of daybreak, I place a flat palm on the frosted windowpane. It’s late winter in our world. I feel stuck inside and stuck in life today. Opening my Bible, I begin my search for Bible verses about being stuck in life.
We all feel stuck at times.
We feel stuck in habits we cannot break, jobs we don’t enjoy, and callings that suck the life from our bodies.
During these times, God’s Word offers encouragement and inspiration. Today, we’ll explore seven Bible verses about being stuck. We’ll also look at five practical ways to get un-stuck!
Let’s turn to God’s Word first.
7 Bible Verses About Being Stuck
What does the Bible say about feeling stuck? Scripture has a great deal of encouragement for us. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you get un-stuck.
Bible Verses About Being Stuck
1. John 16:33
In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world (ESV).
We all feel discouraged and stuck at times.
When difficult times come, remind yourself that Jesus promised trouble on Earth. He also promised that he would overcome the whole world.
Turn to him in your weakness. Ask him to show you how to find freedom. He wants to help you.
2. Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
No matter what you are facing today, God is with you.
He wants to help you and restore you.
Turn to him. Read his Word. Cling to his promises.
3. 2 Corinthians 12:9
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
When you feel weak, God’s power rests upon you.
Find strength in this promise. God’s power is made perfect when you feel helpless and weak. He wants to reveal himself to you and through you.
4. Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
When it comes to prayer, are you at a loss for words?
Right now, the Holy Spirit is praying for you.
You are seen. You are deeply loved. God is fighting for you and defending you.
5. James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Sometimes, we feel stuck because the devil is attacking and discouraging us.
Resist his work, and he will flee from you. Turn to God and ask for strength and help.
6. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
No matter what you are facing today, it is temporary.
One day, God will set you free, once and for all. Keep pressing forward. This is not your eternal destination.
7. Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
Do you need to throw off anything that’s hindering you?
Ask God to show you if this is the case and follow where you sense him leading you.
Let’s Apply These Bible Verses About Being Stuck to Our Lives
As I stand at the window, I remind myself of the lessons I’ve learned throughout past winters.
I make my way downstairs and commit to doing the things that help me remain joyful and encouraged.
If you can relate, I pray these five simple ideas will help you find joy and replenishment, as well.
1. Put something fun on the calendar.
When I’m feeling stuck, knowing there’s something to look forward to can be immensely helpful. It doesn’t have to be a huge event; it simply needs to be something you enjoy.
When winter starts to get me down, my husband often encourages me to go to the woods on a Saturday afternoon. A long walk in the woods, a little bit of time lingering by a creek, and even an hour in my car with worship music refreshes me.
Would you feel refreshed by spending an afternoon at a coffee shop with a good book, enjoying a long visit with an old friend, or heading out for a day on the ski slopes? Put it on the calendar. Taking time to refresh ourselves is important.
What could you put on your calendar that would help you lift your head?
2. Spend even a few minutes outside each day.
Even if it’s cold, time under the open sky is refreshing. Stepping outside opens our eyes to God’s creative work.
Scientific research indicates that time outside is good for the body and the mind. In Japan, they call it taking a “forest bath.” If you’re feeling stuck, get outside.
Breathe deeply.
Move your body.
Look to the sky and take your mind off yourself for just a few minutes.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and we all need this reminder of his glory from time to time. (Read here for a post about what happens to your body and mind when you spend time outdoors.)
3. Create something with your hands.
Activating the creative part of the brain stimulates energy.
Try painting an inspirational quote on a piece of cardstock and hanging it on the fridge.
Download a coloring page and get to work with your child or by yourself.
Try a new recipe.
Paint the chair that’s looking weathered or rearrange and redecorate a room in your house. You don’t have to spend money. Simply rearrange the furniture and the decorations. Create a cozy space that feels peaceful.
For the past ten years, I’ve painted a different room in our house almost every winter. My winter painting projects are immediate countenance boosters.
4. Find someone to encourage.
Proverbs 11:25 reminds us that we are refreshed by refreshing others.
When I’m feeling down, it helps to take my eyes off my circumstances and pray about which of my friends might need a word of encouragement.
Sending a text, email, or a card in the mail will brighten someone’s day, and it will brighten yours as well.
When I’m feeling down, it helps to take my eyes off my circumstances and pray about which of my friends might need a word of encouragement. #unstuck #encouragement Share on X5. Count your blessings.
Focusing on God’s blessings can help us cultivate joy. Recent studies in brain science even indicate that giving thanks is good for the brain.
Start a list of blessings, or begin each day by giving thanks for a few of God’s gifts. This practice can actually change the matter in your brain and help you become a more joyful person.
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Whether these words find you soaring high on a surprisingly warm winter day, trudging through the depths of a dark winter valley, or somewhere in between, my prayer is that you will find encouragement. Keep pressing forward. You don’t have to settle for staying stuck.
Calling All Parents and Grandparents!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
A Devotional for Boys
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Find Our Family Devotionals Here
Find all three books right here. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.
Learn Why Willpower Doesn’t Work and Experience God’s Deliverance and Healing
God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life. Find this life-changing book as a free eBook on Kindle Unlimited or for 12.99 in print right here. (If you do not have Kindle Unlimited, you can try it out with a free three-month trial!) This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!
A Free Devotional to Help You Get Un-Stuck
I invite you to create space for God to transform your life by downloading a free copy of my devotional eBook, The Lean Into Grace Devotional: An 8-Day Devotional for Healing, Deliverance, and Replenishment. Find it for free here. I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here!
