It is going to require our full attention to DO HARD THINGS well as opposed to just having HARD THINGS HAPPEN to us. It’s normal to feel like you are a victim to hard things. It’s normal to feel like all you do is survive and scrape through the hard stuff. But in order to change our mindset, we have to give ourselves fully to the reality that Jesus wants us to live in a different place. We need a conviction that says, “I was not made to live like this.” There will always be a part of us, that God-part that says we were made for more than this. It will cry out from the dark places and remind us that Jesus died to give us more. More than just surviving, more than just existing. A place of deep thriving. A place of fulfillment. Our job is simply to respond to this deep cry of the Spirit. All it takes is to do is the very thing He’s asking us to do and not a bit more, with 100% commitment to full obedience. We may not always be able to see the end but faithfully taking the very next step. Responding with a full heart that says, “Yes!” to whatever we’re asked to do.

Changing our mentality of ‘surviving’, ‘victimization’, and “Why Me?” will require all that we’ve got! It’s going to take every ounce of attention, focus, and diligence to get you out of this pit. The walls are slippery, the environment is cold, and it’s dark. It’s not easy to see the way out. Many times it will be the voice of the Lord simply directing the next step. Then we have to respond. There has to be an urgency in our spirit that says, “I need to make my move or I’ll never get out.” Understand, many people of God spend decades in dark places, pits of pain. If we don’t respond to the invitation to get out, we will die in this place. We have to see it as our only way out, our moment to respond. Our freedom is waiting! (Turn and read Psalm 23 aloud.) Let’s take a look at verse 4 in the Amplified version. “Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.” At this point, you may feel like your life is deep and sunless. It may even feel like you’re in a valley of death. At this point, it may seem like you don’t know where to go. That is totally normal! This is why your dependency upon the Lord in these moments will be vital to your process of getting out. You need to feel the gentle nudging of His rod, you need to feel the gentle push of His staff to lead you through these dark places of the unknown. This step will require your full attention because you are not used to going this way. It will feel odd, uncomfortable, and at times just plain weird. But if you’re committed to the process and committed to taking each step, He will lead you out. This will mean you may no longer take the path of “what seems right” but instead, following the One who IS.