The Spirit of Stuck

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Ephesians 6:10-13 NIV

Put on all of God’s armor. Then you can stand firm against the devil’s evil plans. Our fight is not against human beings. It is against the rulers, the authorities and the powers of this dark world. It is against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly world. So put on all of God’s armor. Evil days will come. But you will be able to stand up to anything. And after you have done everything you can, you will still be standing.

I believe that I can safely say that we have all felt stuck at some point in our lives. Whether we felt as if our back was against the wall, we were fighting to keep out head above water, or it just seemed that there was no way out, we were just stuck. For people such as myself who live in Chicago, it is like navigating the winter storms with bad tires. Once you are snowed in, you have to either work your way out or wait for a change in the weather or you are just stuck. What do we do then when we get stuck, I am guilty, I whine, complain, fuss, fret and worry, all to no avail.

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This can be especially true this time of year when people encounter the Winter blues or the Winter blah’s. Let’s be mindful not to allow the circumstances to control us. Remember that we have the power to overcome these things.

I am so happy that scripture reminds us that our struggle is not with flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of evil in this world. When we are stuck we are to remember who we are and Whose we are. We are to prepare ourselves with the tools and the weapons that God has given us, because these are the only tools that will work in this type of battle. Do you think that soldiers fight with slingshots? Absolutely not! So why would we in turn fight a spiritual battle using non-spiritual sources. We are to use Gods armor when we get stuck, so that we can remain standing.   Put on all of God’s armor.

In order to beat the blues and the blahs that come with this time of year, and life in general, remember your armor. Remember the real reason for this season. Not the presents, the food the sales, and who doesn’t love a sale. The reason for this season is to celebrate the ultimate gift of love given to us. For unto us a child was given. Let us remove the Spirit of Stuck from our lives and live the lives we were created to live. Lives full of mercy, grace and abundance. And remember the true meaning of the season. New Year! New You! New Life!

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Good or Bad

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I believe that I have more good habits than bad habits.  But that is my opinion and at the end of that day that is all that matters.  I work hard for all that I have.  I am still a work in progress and that is what I hold true to.  At this point in my life I believe that the good habits outweigh the bad habits.

While the bad habits are sometimes necessary, it is the good habits that help me progress in life and that keep me on track as I grow and mature.  I am thankful for the bad habits because they have helped me to cultivate the good habits I have developed.  I think the bad habits I have such as procrastination, a small bit of disorganization and lack of exercise have all helped me to know how to find things in an organized mess, work well under pressure, and be in tune when those extra 5-6 pounds creep in.

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The good habits,  health cooking, prayer, have all come by learning what did not work.  What is true is that you have to work hard at everything you do each and everyday.  The truth is that the longer and harder you work at what the good habits the more they become a way of life.  That is what you want to develop life habits.  Keep up the good work and know that all of the bad habits can be changed.