1. Acknowledge Your Rut-to someone else! Its long been said about many things from addictions to issues- Denial is the first step, in that we all deny our 'mess' and try to move on and put a Band-Aid on it! (But underneath it festers). If we only admit our issues to ourselves we can easily hide them- accountability demands change. If you don't know your issues, pray for them to be shown to you. Ask those closest to you and often they'll tell you, but you have to accept it however painful. If you want a neutral person try a counselor or therapist. Its so much more honorable to 'out' yourself than for others to do it for you.
Luke 12:3:
Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.
John 8:32:
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
James 5:16:
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Haggai 1:5:
This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you!
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2. Say Sorry!-to those you've hurt & to God! We’ve all hurt others as we are naturally selfish. We get consumed with me, myself and I. When we find ourselves in a rut its usually because we have focused so heavily on our needs, wants and put others last. We must apologize for our issues and the actions that have got us into a rut in the first place. Acknowledging this domino effect can help us see the truth in what is and how it became what is in front of us. To humble ourselves is the most freeing feeling that opens our hearts up to receive more important things than pride.
Matthew 23:12:
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
1 John 1:9:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and( to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
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3. Avoid Temptations and Blame Part of our ruts are often us giving in to what tempts us. We think we can have our cake and eat it too! We keep doing the same thing over expecting different results! We must resist the things that ruin us. Often times we blame God, others, conspiracy's or 'the man' when truly it was our bad decisions that have us where we're at. We must break through those by changing and doing NEW things in the right direction. An addict lives day by day or moment by moment sober just to keep that day or moment clean.
Romans 8:13:
For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you(A) put to death the deeds of the body, you will live
Proverbs 21:21:
Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
Matthew 26:41:
Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”
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4. Crawl Out, Clean Up & Suck it Up! We have to decide to either lie down and die or crawl out of the rut we made! We must be willing to clean up the mess we've made too. We've hurt others and just because we've apologized does not mean everything is ok. We must suffer through some of the long term consequences of our actions. Just because we can repent in a day, doesn’t mean we can be off the hook in a day. While God forgives immediately He doesn’t undue and erase payment due for others. We must just suck it up and remind ourselves that the only way to get through it, is to GO through it.
Proverbs 15:33:
The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
Psalm 147:6:
The LORD lifts up the humble;he casts the wicked to the ground.
Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
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5. Stay in Community & Restore Relationships
So often its when we get away from the pack that we become weak and vulnerable to wolves. We find our ruts reflections of our weak relationships. We are at odds with God, friends, family, lovers, politicians, kids and more. We were not created to be in constant solitude. Just because we are around people does not mean we are in community and relationship. Just because we are in solitude does not mean we are lonely. We have to plug back in, be present, take note, give and receive what relationship has to offer. Its hard because of past rejections but it’s the only way to true inner peace. We've all craved to be cared over and protected at some point in our lives. Restoring a true fatherly relationship with God can heal a multitude of issues. Its not about saying the right things and repeating the correct answers its about just being in community and relationship with God and others. Remember no man is an island...
John 6:27:
Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal."
Philippians 2:3-4:
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
1 John 2:10
Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.
1 Cor 12:21
"The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don't need you!' ..."
Genesis 2:18
"The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone...'"
Psalm 142:4
"Look to my right and see; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life."
Psalm 27:10
"Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me."
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