Have you ever felt you were stuck squarely between a rock and a hard place? It doesn’t feel like a comfortable place to dwell, does it? And so naturally we would mostly agree this is not a great place to settle.
And yet when there seems no way forward and too much strain to go back and undo, don’t we sometimes feel we want to just settle for the “rock and the hard place” living quarters?
I’m thinking of the two times I was experiencing the onset of labor contractions as a natural part of giving birth to both of our sons. There was the point of extreme tension. I had confidence the end result would be joyous and yet I also recognized the painful valley I would need to traverse to get there. For a time (a very short time) I contemplated whether I could just settle in the in between. Fortunately, the pain and intense natural urge to push through took over. The end result times 2 was JOY.
There’s a multitude of “rock and a hard place” scenarios my mind could ponder. Sometimes the outcome doesn’t seem quite as assuredly joyous as the birth of a baby. The rocky place of unemployment and serious health concerns in which we currently find ourselves offers decidedly daunting outcomes. None of the options are appealing right now, and there’s a temptation to throw hands in the air and just settle.
Yet, Jesus is our example of the best way to respond when feeling stuck between two unpleasant options and an outcome requiring total faith and trust.
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42 niv
Jesus was in between the rock of impending brutality and the hard place of obedience to His Father. The victorious fulfillment of God’s rescue plan for all of humanity would be the outcome on the other side. However, the temptation to settle was there or else Jesus wouldn’t have asked for the option to avoid the bitter cup of suffering at the hands of His own creation.
Hallelujah! Jesus didn’t settle.
He cried out to the Father, “… not My will, but Yours be done.”
And so, for all of us who find ourselves feeling stuck between two no good options, may we follow the author and pioneer of our faith trusting the outcome into His faithful hands. I am choosing now to trust Him. Will you too?
…Because His heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be His, He endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God! Hebrews 12:2 tpt
Ponder:
Does it help you to persevere through the hard, rocky place knowing Jesus didn’t settle for less than total obedience to the Father’s plan?
Do you think it was hard for Jesus as fully man/fully God to trust the Father’s plan?
No matter the fiery trials of this life I must choose to believe in God’s goodness and give thanks to Him for the way He’s going to bring me through – even before I am able to experience the outcome. Lord, I need You to fill me with the faith and the perseverance to obey You. Teach me to fix my eyes on You, Jesus, and follow Your lead all the way home. Jesus, don’t let me ever settle for less, for Your glory and to make Your name great. Amen.
Eyes on Jesus…you’re shining!
~Lisa
Today I am joining Kate and her wonderful community of faith writers for some Five Minute Friday writing fun. The word prompt for this week is {tired} If you’re in the least bit intrigued, come join us for the Five Minute Friday link up
All you have to do is ponder the word prompt, set your timer for 5:00, and start typing. When time’s up, publish and link up. Oh so simple!
Staying stuck feels safe, familiar and moving forward is fearful. Good words here, Lisa.
Hi Lisanne!
Thank you for writing it just like that. The plain truth. I would tend to think that’s outlandish, but then I look at the Israelites wandering in the desert. And then I see my own choices. Sometimes stuck feels safest. Bless you, pajama twin!
~Lisa
So many “rock and a hard places”, aren’t there? But what is impossible for man is beautifully possible for God. If I am honest, lately through the waves of ptsd I haven’t been able to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. But He reminded me that He has His hand firmly holding mine, even when I’m not looking His way. That it’s not in my strength, but His I can walk and finish my race. I’m learning to become a child before Him again. And it’s THIS that is changing everything. So, Amen to this part of your prayer especially:
“Lord, I need You to fill me with the faith and the perseverance to obey You.”
Let’s pour out our hearts, draw near and watch HIS Light pour in 😊😊. Praying with you.
Yes, Anna, such an important truth from you! Me too. I’m learning how to be an innocent trusting child-daughter who totally trusts her daddy’s grip on her hand. 💞 In fact my dad gave my husband and I a frame with the scripture stating our Father holds us by our right hand. We are secure in Him regardless.
I am so thankful that Jesus understands just how we are feeling in those hard places. He knows that hard rocky place so well, and is our High Priest who intercedes for us right there. Thank you for these precious words that remind us how to hold onto Him when we are in the places that feel too hard to keep going. I am so thankful we can pray for each other, Lisa! Your prayers and encouragement are such a blessing. I pray that the Lord will bring that same encouragement to you.
Yes, I have often felt the pressure of being between a rock and a hard place as you describe. What helps me is to keep my focus on God, to remember what Jesus suffered for me, and to know that He is with me no matter what happens. What I have learned is that even when circumstances don’t change, I can still have peace if I put my trust in Him. And when I fail to remember and start to worry He is right there ready to forgive and to give me strength. Thanks so much for your encouraging words here! Because Jesus was fully human while also still fully God, I think it was hard, and I’m sure He was tempted to quit, because the Bible tells us He was tempted in every way as we are. But the difference is that He did not yield to that temptation. He loves us so much. May He help us love and trust Him more and more each day. Blessings to you, Lisa! And thanks for visiting my blog, too. 🙂
Thank you so much, Gayl, for adding value to our conversation. We need each other – iron sharpening iron! You are so right… We persevere by fixing our eyes on Jesus. He’ll show us the way. 💞