What same mountain are you circling? Are you feeling stuck in life?
“Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.”
DEUTERONOMY 2:3
When I first really noticed this scripture, I thought, “Lord, do you want me to take this literally?” I had to smile.
You see, I have been circling the same Andes Mountains, living abroad in South America, for the last few years and while these mountains are lovely, I sometimes wonder, “Is it time to head back north?”
The Background Story
This verse comes from a speech Moses gave to the people in the plains of Moab. Moses and the people were on a journey as we can see in chapter 2 verse 1,
“Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the Lord spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir many days.”
After days circling mount Seir, God told them it was time to move on. While at the time, God’s directions to Moses had literal implications, there is something important here for us to consider…
Have we been circling the same mountain for far too long?
It’s easy to get into a rut. It’s easy to get into a rut in motherhood, as a wife, in our housekeeping, businesses, and especially spiritually. We get tired. and weary and feel stuck. We get stuck in patterns and habits that we know are not serving us but we feel powerless to change.
Feeling Stuck circling the Same Mountain?
Is there something you are stuck on, a situation you’re in that you vow to get out of month after month, maybe even year after year?
It could be something with your health, finances, or a relationship that needs repair. Or it could be what can feel like the worst of all spiritual stagnation. These ruts can make us feel isolated and lonely. They can even open our minds and hearts to the enemy.
Maybe God is saying to you that you have circled this problem long enough. It is time to give it over to Him, ask Him what He would have you do, and listen. Take out that notebook we talked about and seek to hear from our loving Heavenly Father today. Block out the enemy’s voice. You are enough in Jesus. His grace is sufficient and he can help us break out of those patterns we want to stop. He can make all things new.
Look up and then move your feet in faith. Head to higher ground.
Let’s make this the day we stop circling those same old mountains. God says it’s been long enough.
Ponder His Mercies:
What mountains do I keep circling that are no longer serving me?
What can I do to move “northward?”
Write down your answers. There is power in clarity. Even small steps can make big changes.
Prayer for Feeling Stuck:
God,
I have circled these mountains long enough. Jesus said in Mark 11:23, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Give me the faith to move these mountains in my life that are keeping me from the life you desire me to live. I want to move northward to the more abundant life you have for me and my family. Thank you for your guidance and grace.
In Jesus’ powerful name, Amen.
Not gonna lie…I feel stuck on the same “limiting” path. I think until you don’t overcome something, it will keep coming back and showing up in your life…
It can be hard. I have made some drastic changes, like moving abroad. The truth is we take ourselves with us wherever we go. We can only pray and work to change things.