When You Feel Stuck in Life

I’m barely into my fourth week of my senior year of high school and I feel stuck. All my schoolwork is piling up and I just don’t have the energy to do it. I have to listen to lectures but I want to sleep in. I barely have enough mental energy to write lately. And I feel stuck.

Too often I find myself wishing it would just end so I can have time to do the things I want to do. There has to be a way to make it more bearable than just trudging through a long day and reading every other word just to check off boxes so I can finish all my classes and get out of here; instead of wondering when this season of waiting will finally be over so I can actually live. This is not healthy.

A question I’ve recently started asking myself is, “How can I make _____ a habit, starting today?” For those of you who feel as stuck as I do, here are three things I’m challenging myself to put into practice starting this week: looking to Christ, first and foremost, finding enjoyable moments throughout the day, and filling my life with beauty. Let’s dive into these a little deeper.

Look to Christ

When I hear the words “look to Christ,” Hebrews 12:1-2 immediately springs to mind. How can I sum it up better than this? It says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

This is a great verse to have on your computer desktop or your wall to help you memorize. Wow, I really have nothing to add to this! Another evidence that the Word of God is all you need!

In addition, regular time in the Word has made a huge difference in my school year so far. Don’t forget to take time out of your day to meditate on scripture consistently!

So yes, as the verses say, run with endurance though you are stuck, looking to Christ because He is your goal!

Find Enjoyable Moments

A couple days ago when I was reading for school, I had turned on some quiet music and then it started raining – it was blissful. I thought back to a few weeks before when the drought in Texas where I live was making me feel stuck in an endless summer. Now it was raining, and I wasn’t going to let myself take that for granted!

It’s important to find enjoyable moments when your life seems slow and work or school is brutal because it keeps our hearts and minds focused on what is good. Maybe this quiz you’re taking was easier than you thought. Maybe it’s raining so hard that fewer cranky customers will come through your drive-through today. Maybe it’s Labor Day and you didn’t even realize it!

It doesn’t just have to be in your schoolwork or job. It’s good to have little things to look forward to during the week, like a coffee date with friends or an Amazon package with new books. It can be anything, so find something! God is merciful, and not a day goes by where His grace is not evident in our lives – the fact that we all woke up today is a tremendous blessing from our loving Father!

Fill your Life with Beauty

One of my very best friends in the entire world loves to “find beauty in the mundane.” I love this so much, which is why I’m beginning to put this into practice in my life. Instead of complaining and focusing on negativity, I’m already starting to find ways to make my difficult days beautiful, or at the very least more bearable.

This is why I took up art journaling. I add something to my journal every day, whether it be a clipping from a home and garden magazine or an idea quickly jotted down. Working on my art journal helps calm my heart whenever I need a break from a long and hard school day.

But this is just one example. You may be number-oriented, but there is beauty in that too! You could play solitaire (with real cards to cut back on screen time), or organize your closet or other mindless chores. Find a quiet place to read poetry, or lie on your bed and pray. Take beautiful notes during class or church! It can be anything, but I encourage you to find something restfully productive to make your life beautiful, to give your mind a break, and to keep you focused on Christ.

Final Thoughts

So now we’ve explored a few different ways to look to Christ, find enjoyable moments throughout your busy day, and fill your life with beauty.

And now, friends-who-feel-stuck, this is my challenge for you:

Ask yourself, “How can I make these a habit, starting today?”