Are You Going Around in Circles?

“In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NIV

Imagine this: You’re trying to move to the next level of your life, but each time you try, you return to where you were. As you see others move on, you feel stuck and angry, and you wonder why your case seems different.

This scenario is an example of going around in circles and there was a time in my career that I experienced this. After a few years, what I realised was this:

I could not move to the next level because I had not learned the lessons of my current level.

We create a straight-line path and vow to follow it. But then God says “that path will get you stuck at the end. Let me take you through this path where what you learn here will be your breakthrough at the end.” But because we can’t see the end, we feel we’re just going around in circles.

Now, I’m in a season where something I thought I had worked on and made progress in just looked me straight in the eyes and showed me I was still in the same spot. Yes, I made some progress, but nothing gigantic. You can’t imagine my disappointment. 

But looking at the focus scripture again, I realise that I should not fill my mind with lamentations and regrets but with the right questions. For example, “what important lesson am I missing?” “What am I ignorant of?” 

You may have been trying to fix the way you work, how you relate with people or something else, but nothing is working. It means there are hidden lessons you haven’t learned.

Being able to identify and learn these lessons is progress on the path that God has set out. Shift your focus and you’ll realise you’re not going in circles.

Today’s Task: Encourage yourself today and shift your focus. You’re not stagnant.