All of us get the wheels of our lives stuck in ruts from time to time. That’s given. The real issue is “How do I get out of my rut?”
I’d like share a story about a man who was in about the deepest rut anyone could ever experience. His name was Bartimaeus and he was a blind beggar who lived in the ancient city of Jericho. You’ll find his story in your Bible at Mark 10:46-52. I encourage you to pause and read it.
Allow me to tell you what kind of rut this man was in. First, he was blind. A blind man in those days couldn’t work. He couldn’t read or write. There was no brail writing. He couldn’t even get around a “seeing eye dog.” In that day dogs were considered unclean animals to the Jews. Secondly, he was reduced to begging. A man in his condition, unless he had relatives to support him, could do little else but sit near a popular thoroughfare and cry out, “Alms, Alms for the poor!” Thirdly, he was an object of pity. I say that because that was what was behind making a living for him. It was only by soliciting the sympathy of others that he could survive. He probably got pretty good at what he did. Finally, his life was reduced to those last four words of verse 46: “sitting by the road.” That was his rut. Blind. Begging. Pitied. Sitting by the road. For most people such obstacles would be considered inescapable.
But Bartimaeus got out! The purpose of his story is to show you and me how he did it and how we can get out of our rut, too.
- Take the Initiative
In verse 47 of this story, it says, “And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Right away, we see that Bartimaeus took the initiative himself to cry out to Jesus. This is a very important observation. Often times, we stay in a rut because it’s comfortable, it’s safe and we feel secure. But if we want to get out of the rut, we have to first decided to take the initiative. We have to say to ourselves, “I’m moving on. I’m getting help. I’m going to change.” This leads us to step two.
2. Believe you can change
For Bartimaeus, it took real bible believing faith to get up and move toward Jesus. But, he did and Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.”
Where does this kind of faith come from? It’s certainly not a “leap in the dark.” Faith must be based upon some evidence. Notice that phrase in verse 47, “And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out…” That implies some recognition – that Bartimaeus had some prior knowledge that Jesus could heal.
Where does your faith come from? Can you recall a past experience where Jesus was faithful to His word? And isn’t Jesus the same today as He was yesterday? Then, take the initiative and believe with Christ’s help you can change.
3. Identify your real need
In verse 51, Jesus asked Bartimaeus, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
Every time I read this type of question asked by Jesus, it makes me chuckle. Jesus already knows what we need. So why ask? He asks for our benefit. Sometimes, we don’t know what our needs are. I think we get preoccupied with the “how.” “How am I going to get out of this rut” becomes our question instead of asking, “What do I really need?”
What do you need? … a job, better health, transportation, peace, financial security? When Jesus asked Bartimaeus what he wanted, Bartimaeus replied, ““Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!”
4. Stop listening to others
Have you noticed that most people are pessimist? Look what the people surrounding Bartimaeus say to him in verse 48.
“And many were sternly telling him to be quiet.”
Sad, isn’t it. I’m guessing since most people who drag themselves out of a rut eventually crawl right back in, others don’t dare risk cheering them on. Cheering for them would be like predicting a victory over the pit. If the person fails, they risk being laughed at. So, they opt for the winning side and concluded you’ll never make it. Doing so discourages you.
Don’t listen to the crowd that is discouraging you. Listen to those who are cheering you on!
5. Stop waiting for the ideal circumstances—Make Your Move
The ideal circumstance will never come until you decide to make a move. Think about it. What were the chances that a blind man would gain the attention of Jesus surrounded by a crowd of people? Not much. Bartimaeus could have made excuses.
“This isn’t the right day.” “He has too many other people to deal with.” “I shouldn’t bother him.” “I’ll try again, tomorrow when he’s not so busy.”
NO! Bartimaeus don’t make excuses. He didn’t procrastinate. “Casting aside his cloak, he jumped up, and came to Jesus” (v 50).
What a bold move! What gave him the courage? He wanted out of his rut! What about you? Do you want out of your rut? If so, stop waiting for the right circumstances. Make a bold move today.
I hope this has encouraged you today. Perhaps it’s given you a fresh perspective or a even a plan for getting out of your rut. I want to do more. I’d love to pray for you. If you’re in a rut and just need to know someone is praying for you today, leave a comment. You don’t have to share your situation if you don’t want to. It can be as short as “pray for me.”
God loves you and He desire’s your freedom.
Thank you for these biblical words of wisdom. As a wife of a Pastor I know hurt and being stuck. I also know that being told the positive impact our ministry is having on another soul is very encouraging. For that reason I want for you to know the impact your ministry has had on me personally. Your God breathed words come with great impact on the lives of many. Thank you for allowing Him to use you. Thank you for being obedient and sharing your heart, just as you are in your books and devotionals. Thank you.
Please pray for me.
Thank you for your encouraging words! Please pray for me. : )
Please pray for me and my family, I’m stuck in a rut of depression wanting to give my child all that I can give and I’m financially burdended although god has blessed us all it creates so much stress everyday in our lives and i just want happiness for once and my a couple of my family members are very ill anc we all need gods love in our lifes to reunite us as a union that’s stronger together. Thank you so much i hope god blesses you all, you’re his angels sent from above.
Micca
I love your blog today about getting out of our RUT. All so true….please pray for me. I am working my way out of a rut but your words about waiting for the ideal time really hit home. I need to just make the move.
Thanks
A
Anointed words Micca. Just what I needed to hear. Thought about you the other day. Have missed you! Thank you for your faithfulness.
Micca, thank you for today’s devotion – it is just the encouragement I needed to hear. Will you please pray for me? I’ve been struggling with panic disorder & agoraphobia for 26 years. Thank you! Susan
Please pray for me and my family we are in a financial rut. We pray and pray, but the answers seem so slow in coming. Thank you!
Plz pray for me. In a rut of discontentment. I am praying to know the bold move to make; I choose to praise God in my rut. Your message has moved me to praise Him. More to say but prep for work is waiting. Thanks for praying! Can’t say enough about how much this means to me!
Praising Him in this storm,Stacy
Please pray for me. I am in a rut.
Thank you!
Please pray for me as I try to prevent a rut from happening. I am a school teacher and will be starting back to school next week. It seems as though each year after a wonderful summer break I get myself into a rut once school starts with both work and home causing me much stress as our family life gets busier and I feel there is not enough time in the day to do all that needs to be done. Thank you so much for your prayers, your writing really spoke to me a lot today. Make it a blessed day.
I have been in one for a week or so. My oldest son, 14, is away from home because of rebellion and anger over his adoption. Please pray for me that I would believe in what God can do and for God to change his heart.
please pray for me and my marriage of 26 years. My husband is going through a midlife crisis and depression, I believe. He has asked me for an open marriage. I have told him no. We are in counseling and he is considering separation or divorce. Pray for our counselor, Gretchen, that she can reach him and that positive changes can be made in his life. Pray for me as I deal with the uncertainty and ambiguity — I am only working temp now and so I don’t have a permanent job. We have two daughters—ages 21 and 16.
I have been in a rut of self-pity, insecurity and loneliness for almost a year. I have been grieving lost friendships and have lost confidence in myself. Please pray that God helps me to follow the steps you outlined so that a change can come over me.
I would appreciate your prayers. Great devotional! Thank you!
Please pray for me. Thank you.
I would greatly appreciate prayer for my son for a health issue.
I appreciate your prayers.
Thank you
Please–need your prayers–thank you. Could you please pray fro my daughter Natalie–she is pregnant for the 2nd time her situation is less than ideal–no money,have to move,abusive boyfriend,no transportation, etc… she also works with me and one of our bosses is so extremely mean to her–I would so appreciate it—many many blessings to you!! Barb Wall
Micca,
My husband and I are in the ministry (32 yrs) and facing some decisions. We need to hear God.
Also, if I could be so bold as to ask you to pray for a friend…my very best friend…the kind of friend the bible talks about. Her name is Mary Jo. She has been bringing a request before the Lord for 7 yrs. Her example of faith as been such an incredible witness to me and my husband.
Thank you
I want to thank you for what you do. Your words encourage and bless me.
I would appreciate your prayers.
Denise
Thank you so much for confirmation, u feel so blessed to know how our lord and Jesus Christ have my back, thank you. Peace and love
Could you pray for me, please? I really appreciate it! Blessings.
This devotional spoke to me today. We run our own business and sometime I feel like we are in a never ending financial prison. Please pray for me today.
Thank You.
Please, I could use your prayers. Thank you!
Hi Micca,
I have been preoccupied with the “how” to get out of the rut. Thank you for the thought that my question should be “what” and not how.
Today is my 30th birthday and I have been desiring for some time to change careers. I have been waiting for the “right” time and encounter fear/doubt every time I consider going into another field. I struggle with doubts about what the “right” field is and what God’s plan is for my life. I am afraid of making the wrong decision. Your message has challenged me today. I don’t want to continue living in the “rut” of discontentment with my career and my circumstances anymore…If there is anything I want, it is to live with contentment, joy and with assurance of God’s purpose for my life as I begin my thirties. Please pray that I rise up from the ashes of my twenties and praise the Lord for He has been good to me and has a purpose for my pain.
Great stuff, Micca. Thanks so much for sharing your heart on this!
Great devotional. Our Lord knows what we need. His timing is always perfect. Please pray for me. Thank you for the prayers and for your gift of writing.
please pray for my sisters who are in a rut with certain addicitions! please pray for me cause i know God wants me to be more than i am in my job and career and as a person on earth. I need the fire lit under me to take advantage of all that God has for me.
Thank you and God bless!
May God’s will be done for all of us.
Please pray for me and my children ages 27 and 20. The 20 year old goes back to School September 12th and the other child works but has lost her joy and self because she does not like her job(telemarketing, she has a degree and cannot find a job that would utilize her knowledge and personality). Thank you for your prayers and be blessed knowing that God is using you to help others.
Please pray for me. I am in a rut I have been trying to get out of for so long. Thank you.
Please pray for me. I’m in nerd of clarity and wisdom. Thank you.
I’ve been in a rut for 7 years. I know I need to take the initiative, but like you said above, as much as I hate this rut, it is familiar and comfortable. But I need out! I fear I will remain in this run for many more years if I don’t do something soon. Please pray for me!
I need to find a job, I need to develop some financial security, I need peace and I need to be out of pain. That’s four out of the five you listed. Yet I try to maintain a positive attitude, and I know things will all work out. My prayer now is, “How can I glorify God in this?” and I am struggling to remember this as I face each obstacle.
I am about to call about a temporary part-time job that would at least bring in some income and still allow me to continue to take care of my family. I don’t want to work outside the home, but my seasonal business has come to an end and I need income. Others in my household are unemployed and they are the naysayers; a real negative force confronting me.
I believe God is sovereign. I believe He is aware of my needs, and I pray this is the path I should follow. My desire is to write, and I hoped to begin a freelance writing career. I don’t know if I can do that and work outside the home. I wish my path would be so clear that it would be unmistakeable.
Thank you for the opportunity to voice my concerns and for your offer of prayer. I will pray for guidance, too.
please pray for me <3
So loved your encouraging words today. I want to get out of the rut. I want to STOP looking at my circumstances, at my pain & hurt and move to the fullness that He has for me. I appreciate your prayers, feel like I’m in this alone.
Please pray for me that God will increase my faith more and more everyday so that I will ALWAYS look to him…..
Thank you so much for your very inspiring devotional. I have been in a rut for years. I have very little self confidence. My husband of 13 years walked out in May because he was sick of my depression. I just need pray for strength and courage to try to redeem my life. I pray that God will help Chris to see His plan for marriage, and that He hates divorce. I pray that God will soften Chris’ heart and that he will be able to forgive me. Thank you again for praying for me!! God Bless!!
I have been in a rut for some time now & this devotional really spoke to me. Please say a prayer that I can come through this stronger & have peace about what changes need to take place. Thank you & God bless!
This hit me hard today i just had finished talking to my daughter that i was no longer going to help her with Finances if she was going to continue having people around to use her and i could not watch her let people do that to her. I feel so bad because she is 19 just graduated with a 2 1/2 yr old baby girl who is my life and is going to deliver her second baby coming this sept. She was in low grade classes because she has problems with reading, writing, and math so therefor i don’t think she can get a good job to take care of her self much less two babies, this is very hard for me to do this because i love her and i don’t want her or my grand babies to suffer so please pray for my daughter Ariel Ortiz that she may gain her self respect as a person and that she and my grand babies stay safe in Gods arms. Thank you for your time.
Dear Micca,
Thank you for your words of encouragement. Please pray for me to not get wrapped up in self-pity but to see my God Who is able.
Bleassings
Please pray for me.
Micca please pray for me to have peace of mind,financial security,better health,and get over self doubt. GOD is so merciful and loving. I needed to hear just what your devotional said. Thank you for sharing! Have a great day!
Wow this is great and much needed. I have found myself in a rut, and I tell you it is awful trying to get out it. The one part that stuck out to me is when Jesus asked, What do you want me to do for you? I want to scream, Just drop it in my lap God please!!! LOL . But seriously I stopped and asked Help me make that bold move. There are so many things God has place on my heart but fear has a hold on me. So please I ask for your prayers to just make the bold move so me and my family can live the lives God has ordained for us.
Kresendo Smith
I pray that God blessings for you and all that this message has spoken to. Lord bless your people today give them the desire of their hearts. Let them not be weary but florish in all that you have for them. I speak success & prosperity into all of your lives. May you live as the King’s Kids that you are and not be in fear or worry. He has translated you from darkness into his kingdom so walk therein.Remember we are Victorious!
Be Blessed!
Dear Micca, this is my first time of reading your article. Am very well bless. I need breakthrough to losw weight and be financially balance. kindly help me. I will be glad. Bless you.
Felicia
Please pray for me. Lots of anxiety holding me back. Your story of Bartimaeus spoke to me. I want to be strong enough to get up and get going!
thanks for this word.have being trying to get out of my rut but fail, this time, I have made up my mind to succeed.please pray for me.
I am in a rut. Please pray for me.
Good afternoon Micca! First thank you for taking prayer requests and secondly for praying for all of us you left you a comment.
I’m a single mother of a 7 yr old beautiful girl and a 1 yr old handsome boy. I thank you for this posting, because it was what I needed. I am currently in a rut…..financial bondage with no way of humanly getting out of it. Options that should be options are not…..please pray for my permanent deliverance and that my son will be accepted next week into a government funded daycare named Educare. His acceptance will make daycare more affordable for me and will free up $500 – $625 a month. Thanks again for praying for us as I will be praying for you too. 🙂
Sweet sister ..your words encourage me. Please pray for me as I chose to get out of a rut last week and chose to obey Christ rather than the comfort of not being alone. It was one of the hardest choices I have made but I knew I had to do it as my convictions of sin had overwhelmed me. It IS uncomfortable and I feel alone and rejected by someone i trusted….but I’m choosing to give this to Christ completely as he has asked. Please pray for the mind of Christ to overcome my fear and cast out the enemy who has made it very obvious he wants me back in the rut. Bless you!
Please pray for me. I’m in a rut in several areas of my life, especially financially and in the area of my weight and health. Thank you so much. Since I have started reading Proverbs 31 devotions I have grown so much.
Thanks for this great post! Pls. pray for needs (God knows what). Thanks and blessings on your ministry.
Micca,
You are truly a blessing! Thank you for your encouraging words!
Please pray for me.
-Michelle
I am in a rut and feel overcome by negative thoughts and emotions. Please pray for me.
Micca, Thank you for this beautiful message and the encouragement! Please pray for me as I have been in a rut for a long time.
Your e-mail devotional for 8/23 helped uplift my spirits and when I went to your blog it went right along with it. Yes, I would like prayer to stop focusing on my feelings, worrying about what others think of me and to keep my focus on the supreme God who loves me and has my best interests at heart. God bless you!
Thank you for your words of encouragement today and the invitation to pray over the needs in our lives. I’ve have been battling depression, hopelessness and anxiety over unanswered prayers for:
1. A Godly husband
2. Salvation and sobriety for 2 of the most precious people in my life – my brother and best friend
For years I have prayed over these areas, and feels as though God has literally just chosen to not work (to overlook/ignore) these areas of my life which are so close to my heart. Would you please pray for me and these areas of my life. I know God has plans for my life and I want my faith and hope in God to be continually renewed (the depression, hopelessness and anxiety removed) as I fully trust God to answer my prayers. Thank you so much.
Been following Proverbs31 Ministries for quite some time and get blessed by the aritcles and the hearts of these Christian women.
I got real blessed by your blog today and appreciate your willingness to reach out. By listing the other ladies, it gives all of us an opportunity to pray for each other.
Thanks and I’ll pray for you, too.
oh what a perfect end to my day. I praise God for Bartimaeus, for Mark writing about him, and you today (or yesterday)! I need God to help me clarify my “real need”. Is it contentment, rebuilding my foundation on Him and not my “self”, making a job change that would have great $ impact. It might be all of those, but I don’t think I have the strength to face all at the same time 🙂 There is the “i” again! I pray God bless you and your family with showers of blessings!
I have an incurable illness, please pray for me.
thanks for the thought provoking words and encouragement. my husband is struggling with lymes disease and so much of the load of our family falls on me. there are days the load feels so heavy and burdensome. i know logically God is there and has a perfect plan, but when I continue to feel squeezed by the circumstances, I wonder where God is and feel sorry for myself and anger at my husband for his lack of ability to provide for our family. pray i see where God is leading us during this time of uncertainity.
In the midst of my 5th miscarriage and I want to use this suffering for God’s glory. Please pray for me.
Micca,
I just found you today through Proverbs 31 and had to check out your blog because of your message on Paul and being shipwrecked was so strong on my heart. For the past 2 years, I have been engaging in a magnitude of spritiual warfare…and am exhausted. Over the past months, I have suffered greatly with my health and lack of solutions from the medical field. My precious husband, a vet, has helped me far more than many mds. Any prayers will be tender and dear to my heart.
With love…M
please pray my husband is filled with the holy spirit. his heart is softened, his addictions broken, strong hold lifted and he returns home to be a husband and father. we love him and want him back. he is broken and needs the Lord.
Thank you so much for your post of August 23rd. I have been in a rut for some time now. My husband and I are both self employed and our finances are in shambles. We made some big mistakes before the economy took a downturn and are in a bad financial situation because of those mistakes. I have tried to forgive myself, but still blame myself for where we are. I am having a really hard time, because I had a pretty good business and I am now watching it crumble more and more every day. I actually have no business and have had to take a part time job.
My husband’s business is not doing bad, but it is not enough to pay our bills at home and for our businesses. We are just waiting for the axe to fall, we are going to have to file bankruptcy, the problem is we do not have the money to file, so we are in a very bad spot. I just keep praying that my customers will come back, problem is we don’t have the money to buy or replace inventory. I keep asking God if I am supposed to close my business (which will break my heart), or to please give me the wisdom to fix this mess.
I want so badly to hear from God, but I am not hearing Him. Please pray for us. Thank you.
Hi Micca, I have been married to a non Christian wife for 33 years. She angrily dismisses my faith in no uncertain words and our relationship has been held together by the massive problems of our two sons. She has been faithful and she has contributed far more to our home than I in terms of effort and commitment. We have hardly touched for 20+ years after she made it clear in no uncertain terms that I was not to go near her. I re-committed to the Lord 10 years ago and gained the confidence to attend church regularly in spite of my wife’s scepticism. As I have committed to a midweek group and occasional special events she has criticised me for neglecting the home. I yearn for a close relationship and a shared lifestyle, but my wife keeps her distance. I have somehow managed to avoid adultery in a physical sense, but I struggle with my eyes. I am thankful to Christian friends for their consistent advice to stay in the relationship, but it is so, so hard. Your posts have encouraged me. Thanks!
Thank you for the encouraging words. My health is poor and I feel old and useless. I need to get out of this rut. Your prayers are appreciated.
Micca — you’re words are amazing. I was praying for God to help me to once and for all END about 4 years of depression following abortion and the rut I feel I’m in. Please pray for me. I claim my life back in Jesus Christ’s name today! I also pray for the Lord to answer all the prayers on this page. Bless your ministry Micca.
x
Please pray for me – physical and emotional issues, marriage and wayward teenagers, thank you!
Thank you your message is so encouraging sister.
I am 38 years old, single gal.
Pls pray for me….
I need to know what is instore for me…how do i take initiative to get settled maritally…
Good word. Please pray for me.
31 single woman no kids living at home,seemingly dead end job. Please pray for me. Feels like life is passing me by..
Pls pray for me. Need to get out of this rut. Thx
Please pray for me I desire to get out of this rut