Everyone experiences from time to time the feeling of being in a rut; that feeling of everything so routine and usual that negative emotions arise to torment us. It’s been my experience, and what I’ve notice in others, that the most common cause of feeling we’re in a rut is when we get our eyes focused too much on ourselves. This emotion comes from fear and manifests itself with feelings of not being appreciated or not getting the recognition we think we deserve, or that no one appreciates us. Sounds a lot like selfishness, self-centeredness, and pride.

It happens when our eyes and heart are fixed so much on what we are doing that we forget the end result of why we are working. It can happen in our service in the Kingdom of God, volunteering in our Church, even in connection with our career choice. A rut, regardless of which area of our life it manifests, comes mainly from the devil to get our attention off of the plan God for our lives.

For the most part, negative emotions are not the problem within us, they are a symptom, or byproduct, of the problem within us. Negative emotions are not a root to a problem they are the result of a problem. We don’t have to give into these feelings; we do have control over our emotions. The root problem of feelings, like being in a rut, is caused by wrong thinking. The Bible says in Proverbs 23:7 that we are what we think. This is why it’s vitally important that we monitor our thoughts and bring them into submission to the Word of God. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

So, how do we “clear the clutter” of wrong thinking? The dictionary describes the word rut as “a usual or fixed routine”. So, let’s turn it from the negative to the positive. Here are some steps I take that help me; maybe they will help you too:

• I remember what God has done for me; I decide to believe that He is working in my life now to work things out for my good, (Romans 8:28), and that He has a good future for me. (Jeremiah 29:11)
• I refresh my mind to understand who I am in Christ and who He is in me. Reading Ephesians chapter one and two are especially good for this purpose. Romans 12:2 calls this renewing our mind and being transformed (into the image of God). I also make a point to change my focus from whether or not I’m being blessed to being a blessing. I look for ways to use my gifts and talents to bless others, and to bring glory to God, no matter how small the action may seem. When we concentrate on being a blessing, then we in return are blessed. When this turbulent world can see joy and peace in our lives, they will want the same; and that “same” is Jesus in their lives.
• I fix my trust God’s faithfulness to see me through the rough times and the good times in my life. Hebrews 13:5 tells us that He will never leave us nor forsake us, so we can trust His faithfulness to be and do what He says. Trusting someone is basically having confidence in them to keep their word. God is the greatest promise keeper in the world!

I challenge you this week to turn the negative rut (remorseful under trials) to the positive (remember God’s faithfulness, understand who you are IN HIM, and trust God explicitly, leaving no room for confusion of doubt).