Stuck in Neutral
Have you ever found yourself feeling stuck in a routine—just going through the motions, waiting for the next big thing? That was exactly where I was about a year ago (at the time of writing), when I reached what I thought would be the next major milestone in my life. I had just passed the NCLEX and officially earned my Registered Nurse license. I was ready to step into a new chapter, but I had no idea what that chapter was supposed to look like.
So, I did what I knew best—I began to pray and fast. During that time, I didn’t hear much from the Holy Spirit. Then an unexpected opportunity appeared: a supervisory role halfway across the country in Indiana. And yes, I know what you’re probably thinking… Why Indiana? But at the time, I felt stuck and craved change. The idea of moving anywhere felt exciting.
I prayed for clarity and guidance, but if I’m being honest, I didn’t receive a clear yes or no. Looking back now, I believe God was asking me to wait. But my desire for change was so strong that I convinced myself to move forward—even without clear direction. So, I accepted the job and relocated.
Before I continue, let me pause here. Can you see how things could quickly become messy from this point? It reminds me of the story of Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 15 and 16. Abraham was blessed by God, yet worried he wouldn’t have a son to inherit the promise. God assured him that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. But Sarah, struggling to believe because of her age, took matters into her own hands. She encouraged Abraham to have a child with her servant, Hagar.
That decision led to complications—conflict, mistreatment, and pain. Hagar became pregnant and eventually gave birth to Ishmael, Abraham’s first son, but not the child of promise God had intended.
The lesson here is clear: when God calls us to wait, we must trust Him and resist the urge to solve things on our own. After all, if we could handle everything ourselves, we wouldn’t need God, would we?
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” — Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)
God’s plans will always surpass ours. Sometimes the most faithful thing we can do is step aside, trust His timing, and allow God to be God.
Course Correction
Shortly after settling in Indiana, my life began to shift. Homesickness hit hard—which I expected—but what I didn’t anticipate was realizing I had accepted a position I wasn’t fully qualified for. The lack of proper training quickly turned into overwhelming stress. I found myself journaling, praying, and questioning God: How did a decision that once felt so right become something I now regret?
Looking back, I realize that before Indiana, I had always carried a desire to live in Florida—the Sunshine State. But fear, along with the well-meaning opinions of family and friends, kept me from pursuing it. I allowed my emotions to drown out what the Spirit may have been prompting me to bring before God for clarity.
After four months of trying to make something work that was never meant to—because God never ordained it—the desire for Florida resurfaced. This time, I did something different. I brought it to God in prayer. And almost immediately, I felt an undeniable sense of peace.
“Peace is not only an element of His character; it’s evidence of His presence.” — Priscilla Shirer
God is peace. As Paul prepares to leave the church of Thessalonica, he declares:
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation.” — 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NLT)
I found myself in a gloomy space, weighed down by an urgency for instant gratification. I’ve mentioned this before, but it’s worth repeating: we must stop placing God in a box when it comes to what He can do with our requests. Seasons of waiting are not wasted—they exist for our benefit. They allow God to work in ways we may not immediately see.
He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). But when we stand in our own way—rushing ahead or leaning on our own understanding—we limit what God can do in and through our lives.
Sometimes, the job that feels “right” isn’t aligned with God’s calling. And sometimes, what feels like a setback is actually a divine course correction.