Have you ever felt stuck? Stuck in a job, a relationship, or a mindset that seemed endless? I admit it; I’ve felt stuck during the Covid-19 pandemic. I changed, and I’m not too fond of the changes. I don’t like what is happening to me, and I’ve blamed the virus. If I’m honest with myself, I’m edgy, sensitive, and a little lazier, comparatively speaking, before COVID.
Blaming is a scapegoat for my poor choices. The virus didn’t make me choose to start eating poorly. The virus didn’t tell me to binge-watch shows I would usually never watch. The virus didn’t whisper in my ear, forcing me to worry and doubt God. The virus didn’t have a diabolical plan to turn me into a couch potato. No, I did that all by myself.
I can’t blame politicians for my stuckness, as well. Though I can write multiple blogs about political government overreach and corruption, that’s for a different time. The truth is, politicians didn’t legislate my unwillingness to brush my teeth every morning. Politicians didn’t write laws that forced me into a lazy lifestyle. That was all of my own doing.
The question is, what do I do now? A month ago, I came across Isaiah 43:18-19, which says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Four the past four weeks, I’ve practiced five steps that have helped me #getunstuck.
First, I stopped denying that my stuck problem has nothing to do with me and acknowledge that it does. Adulting!
Second, I confessed my denial, my anger, and my laziness to myself, God, and a few people I trust. It was freeing!
Third, I dealt with my denial by putting in a plan to deal with my anger and laziness. Each morning I have said, “Today is my favorite day” and then quote the six simple truths about God. Then anytime during the day, when I felt like I was going back down the rabbit hole of anger I would quote the six simple truths. It kept my attitude in check.
Fourth, I made it my mission to stop dwelling on my past failures during Covid-19. God’s word says, “Do not dwell on the past.” Mind-blowing! Who knew?
Fifth, I started believing that God had a better life for me, and Covid-19 can’t stop my optimistic “Today Is My Favorite Day” attitude. I have a bright future. It’s so bright I have to wear shades! That’s an eighties reference.
That’s all I’ve got. If you are feeling stuck like me, try these five simple steps and #getunstuck. All you have to lose is your stuckness.
David Towner is the author of Today Is My Favorite Day and has been the senior pastor of The Harbor Church in Odessa, Fl, for twenty-two years. He is married to his wife, Tonya. They have three beautiful girls and four awesome grandsons.