When We're Stuck

Main Thought

Everyone feels “stuck” sometimes. Bad or unexpected things happen. We become disillusioned with our lives or in our relationship with God. We feel helpless, weary, and empty. These seasons of difficulty, sometimes called “Walls” or “Dark Nights of the Soul,” come and go throughout life. We usually can’t do anything to make our seasons of difficulty end sooner, just like we can’t make the heat of the Las Vegas summer end sooner. 

We are able to adapt to our current season and prepare for the coming seasons. But it’s God who changes the seasons. We can deepen our trust in God as we wait on Him to change things. Meanwhile, God uses our Walls and Dark Nights to change us. He uses our trials like a loving fire that purifies our character and strengthens our souls. If we pause at our Walls, reflect on what God’s doing in us, and participate with Him, then we’ll leave our worst moments as better versions of ourselves.

Main Passages

Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. 2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. 3 I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.

- Psalm 69:1-3

13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. 14 Deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters. 15 Let not the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me.

- Psalm 69:13-15

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

- James 1:2-4

Discussion Questions

  1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Passages above?

  2. Have you ever faced your own “wall” or “dark night of the soul”? What happened?

  3. Has God ever used your trials to transform you for the better, or could He be doing that right now? How can we participate with Him in the process?