I recently had a conversation with a friend about the state of the world, spirituality, family, work, and a host of other topics. In the past, a discussion like this might have triggered me, leaving me feeling overwhelmed and stuck. But this time, I noticed something different—a glimmer of change. I’ve grown so much over the last couple of years.
Before, when life threw too much at me, I’d get overwhelmed, frustrated, and stuck—like, really stuck. It felt like I was spinning my wheels without getting anywhere. I couldn’t even talk about what I was going through without feeling sad, overwhelmed, and like I was falling short. But now? Even though there’s still a lot of uncertainty, I’ve learned to push pause instead of spiraling. This shift has made a world of difference in how I navigate life’s challenges.
Let’s talk about what it means to be stuck. Being stuck isn’t just about not moving forward; it’s a feeling of being trapped, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. Spiritually, it can feel like you’re distant from God, unsure of how to reconnect, or simply going through the motions without really feeling anything. Mentally, it can lead to anxiety, stress, and that frustrating sense of spinning your wheels.
But there’s good news: Isaiah 43:18-19 reminds us, “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 wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Even when we feel stuck, God has new things lined up for us—we just need to shift our focus to see them.
On the other hand, taking a pause is something entirely different. Pausing is a conscious decision to step back, breathe, and gather your thoughts. It’s like hitting the reset button. The Bible uses the word “Selah” 74 times, often understood as a pause to reflect. It’s God’s way of telling us, “Hey, take a breather and think about what’s going on.”
Unlike being stuck, pausing isn’t about giving up; it’s about giving yourself the space to regroup and recharge. Hebrews 12:1 encourages us, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Taking a pause allows us to shed the burdens weighing us down so we can return to running our race with a renewed perspective.
This idea of pausing is a natural extension of the self-care practices I talked about in my previous post. Self-care isn’t just about taking care of our physical and emotional needs; it’s also about knowing when to step back, reflect, and give ourselves the mental and spiritual space to breathe. Recognizing the difference between being stuck and taking a pause can significantly impact our spiritual growth and mental health.
But here’s something crucial: as you learn to pause, remember to give yourself grace. Pausing isn’t always easy—especially in a world that values constant productivity. You might feel guilty or anxious about stepping back, but understand that giving yourself the space to pause is an act of self-love. It’s recognizing that you are not defined by what you do or how much you achieve. You are valuable simply because you are a child of God.
Grace is about accepting that it’s okay to take a moment, to not have all the answers, and to need a break. It’s about understanding that God’s love for you isn’t conditional on your performance, but is constant, even in your moments of rest. So, as you pause, let go of any guilt, and embrace the grace God offers you. Allow yourself the kindness to rest, reflect, and recharge.
Scott Pauley, in his blog post “Selah—Hitting the Pause Button,” perfectly captures this idea: “There is no stop button for life—it will go on until God says it’s finished. You cannot rewind to yesterday—it is over. It is impossible to fast forward to tomorrow—that is in God’s knowledge alone. But you can pause.”
If you’re feeling stuck, here are a few things that might help you shift into a pause instead:
Get Spiritual: Use this time to pray, meditate, or dive into Scripture. Let yourself have a “Selah” moment to really soak in God’s presence.
Clear Your Mind: Try some mindfulness exercises, journaling, or just take a few deep breaths. Sometimes, you just need to step back to see things clearly.
Set Some Goals: Use this pause to think about where you want to go and what’s been holding you back. Reflect on Hebrews 12:1 and consider what you need to let go of.
Take Baby Steps: Once you’ve paused and regrouped, start moving forward again—slowly but surely. Remember, God’s got your back, and He’s guiding your steps, even when you can’t see the whole path.
Life is full of moments where we feel stuck, but it’s important to recognize when what we really need is to pause. Being stuck can be frustrating, but choosing to pause gives you a chance to catch your breath, reconnect with God, and regain your focus. It’s a crucial part of self-care—taking care of your spirit, mind, and body all at once.
So, next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, ask yourself: Am I stuck, or do I just need to pause for a moment? There may not be a stop button for life, but we can always choose to pause and refocus on the new things God is doing in our lives. And trust me, it’s worth it.
Writings on My Heart 