March 31, 2011 | Seth Barnes | Spiritual Formation | 9 Comments | Views 7

If you’re stuck, ask questions

If you’re in a tough place and can’t see the way out, your natural reaction may be to: complain or find reasons to justify your thinking about the mess you’re in A better approach is to ask questions. Ask them of God. And ask them of people you respect. And then listen – really listen….

By Seth Barnes

31 March 2011, 12:03 am

By Seth Barnes

31 March 2011, 12:03 am

If you’re in a tough place and can’t see the way out, your natural reaction may be to:

complain
or find reasons to justify your thinking about the mess you’re in

A better approach is to ask questions. Ask them of God. And ask them of people you respect. And then listen – really listen.

I spent nearly a decade fixated on a friend’s betrayal instead of seeing him as God’s tool to promote me. Until I could get over my own ego issues, I wasn’t ready for the promotion. Instead of asking questions like, “What is God trying to teach me here?” I focused on my pain.

What a waste of time! We go around the same mountains over and over again because we don’t take the time to seek new points of view. We need coaching often more than we need encouragement. Stop crying in your beer and man up. Get over yourself and ask a few questions.

Yesterday’s post was about the importance of a challenge in helping us grow. But a challenge is not a challenge until we stop seeing it as a negative thing sent to us by the enemy and see it instead as a tool in God’s hand shaping our character.

And we get to that perspective by asking questions and making space for God to answer them. I’ve found that a journal helps. Write down your question and then write down your impression of what God says in response. Run it by a trusted friend and check it out against what the Bible says. You could save yourself years of wandering in some desert place.

What ruts are you in? What questions have you asked God about them?

Comments (9)

Raimie Bateman

March 31, 2011 at 1:50 am

Reply

Seth, simple point and nonetheless crucial. At that point of asking God about a couple big things in my life. Appreciate your insight.
Peace in Christ,
Raimie
dan waits

March 31, 2011 at 4:40 am

Reply

VERY good.

reposted it on my blogs
Jodi Gemma

March 31, 2011 at 7:40 am

Reply

Amen! Been there stuck in the complaining rut before… Truth is: EVERYTHING that comes to us – whether originated by the enemy, the consequences of our own stupidity or sent from God Himself – is a tool that God can use for our good.

For me, I finally started running toward this realization and cooperating with God as quickly as I can – if for no other reason than it takes the sting of the pain out. But there are many other benefits too.

Great blog.
Kathy Pride

March 31, 2011 at 8:00 am

Reply

How true…my rut has to do with my own planks and other’s specks and how my focus has been in the totally wrong place and my own plank had me totally blinded. Now that it is loose and some light is getting in, my vision has improved immensly, and also my attitude…Amen!
Glenn Steers

March 31, 2011 at 8:27 am

Reply

I love this sage wisdom, “Stop crying in your beer and man up.” I’m thinking we’ll use this line on the upcoming man hike a lot!!
michael mansary

March 31, 2011 at 11:23 am

Reply

I suppose we’ve all been there but thank God that He has always been there for us. God had to send me several prophetic words that my pain was to shape my character and to maturity. I was like God that was too much, i was very loving and honest, i gave everything–my all and to get these back is not nice??? So i had to ‘Stop crying in my beer and man up’. Woooo
Pat B.

March 31, 2011 at 2:22 pm

Reply

awesome. thanks.
Embo

April 9, 2011 at 12:32 am

Reply

You are such a good example, thank you for this model! Love you
Harry Parker

December 21, 2024 at 6:50 am

Reply

hello