Stuck in the Corner – How to Get Out

It is a terrible feeling to be stuck in the corner. Trapped by problems. Maneuverability seems so limited. Fear starts to do its work. Many times life feels like this. No matter how hard you’ve tried to do your best and make good decisions, sometimes you are just stuck in the corner. What options do you have in this place?

Perhaps you didn’t do your best. Maybe you made less than helpful decisions, and things fell apart. Sometimes, being stuck in the corner isn’t even your own doing. You are backed into a corner or exposed to impossible circumstances because of someone else’s choices, and you are left to manage the fall-out. Your sorrow doubles because of unkindness and betrayal.

People cause grief for others. Most of us end up on both sides of this unfortunate human development. And often the situation is very hard to fix.

When you are in a corner and don’t know what to do next, pause. This is an intentional pause with purpose. It helps you see things as they really are, not as they appear. In that pause, there are some things you can train your heart to do that will help you get your bearings and possibly open options. Ask God for wisdom. Sometimes God allows corners to help us change direction.

Things to Think About When You Are Stuck in the Corner

 

Press Into Christ

The very first thing to do is to press into Christ who is with you in your corner. Pour out your heart to Him. Be honest and respectful. Be vulnerable and real. Trust Him with your heart, your hurt, your doubts and any failures. Don’t depend on your understanding of the situation. Give your tsunami of emotions to Jesus and acknowledge His desire to help. He will guide you through as your companion and confidant. And He will heal your heart. Listen intently for His whispers of love, His awareness of your situation, His personal provision made available for you, and His intentions to keep His promises – all of them.

Take Time to Grieve

The next thing that often helps is to take time to grieve. Many people skip this important step. Losses and unfortunate developments can hurt, and if you don’t identify and address this, it can turn into dysfunction. Look at what has happened and admit the loss and the hurt. Tears might help. The deepest cutting losses are from relationships. It could be through death, severe illness, conflict, changed hearts. Losses can also result from a terrible business transaction, a natural disaster, an accident, declining health, or a denial of some kind. As you pause in the pain of this place, refuse to be a victim. As you grieve, be aware that you can get lost in grieving. Indulging in a pity party or punishing others (or God) in your devastation will not change things for the better. Tell God your grief, and ask for His strength to accept how things are now.

Forgive

Finally, to get out of that corner, forgive if you’ve been wronged. It may be appropriate to give another chance. Other times it is better not to. But forgiving sets you free. If you have wronged someone else, ask them to forgive you. Humble yourself. Pride will keep you cornered.

Move Forward

Now you can move forward and not be locked in denial or bitterness. Get up and wash your face and start to live again. The loss may still be painful, but positive strokes are healthy. This is not a “straighten your shoulders and steel-faced-go-on” kind of thrust. If you do this, you are still stuck in the corner. Instead, it means you choose to accept what has happened, that you didn’t want it to happen, you yield to God’s love and over care – and you let His grace roll it into your life story. Let go into God’s capable grip. It may help to talk about the situation with others involved – or it may be better to let it go if the loss is permanent, and talk with a third party. God handles “permanent” just as skillfully as “temporary.” Try to build again with people using God’s wisdom. He will teach you how to be careful but not fearful. Leverage your daily schedule to remain productive. Pursue things God laid on your heart previously. Quickly adopt any changes He shows you. Perhaps add a hobby or fun activity.

If You Stay Stuck in the Corner

If you decide to stay in your corner, the devil might outwit you with the difficulty. He does not want you to be free. You can’t stay in a corner and live an intentional life. It will rip you apart and ruin you. The enemy knows this and will do anything to keep you there, including drain your energy and drive.

Jesus helps you. Simply ask Him. I already mentioned He is in the corner with you. If you go through these steps and stay close to Christ, He will heal your heart and give you joy again. Your life can be healthy and strong. Jesus will give you constructive advice and guidance. Let Him renew your hope. He empowers you to do the hard things. Jesus is your Shepherd, little sheep, and He holds you close.

How can you engage these ideas in your corner? Will you risk God’s love and trust His power and wisdom?

Article developed from 2 Cor. 2:1-11.

Check out this mini library of “How-To Skills” to live a healthy life.

Here is another mini library with blog articles to help Navigate and Manage Depression – especially during holidays.

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail
Email Sign Up Gift

Connect with Us!

SIGN UP for helpful content to live an Alive and Active Life each day.  Subscribe to our podcast with your favorite app.

Subscribe

* indicates required

A Regular Person Superhero

Marvel Comics puts lots of money into movies about superheroes. And – based on success at the box office – lots of people connect with these superheroes at some level. Not everyone is “into” superheroes. But most people can pinpoint at least one superhero they admire. Who is that superhero for you?

Every superhero is a regular person with flaws – and even weaknesses. However, their skill sets and strengths more than compensate for their vices. I once heard it said that every person is a mixture of gold and clay with incredible beauty while also being less than perfect. Read More …

Read More »

The Truth About Loneliness

Do you remember the film, “Cast Away?” Tom Hanks plays a systems analysist named Chuck who is marooned on an island quite unexpectedly when his flight goes down over the Pacific Ocean. In this movie, you get a front-row seat on how a person might deal with loneliness. From hopelessness, to anger, to desperation, to finding a way. He’s alone on this island for four years! Meanwhile, he’s declared dead by family and friends back home. Chuck’s only friend is a volleyball that washed ashore from the plane wreckage. This ball becomes Chuck’s only friend: “Wilson.” Chuck becomes very familiar with the truth about loneliness.  Read More …

Read More »

Famine – Scripture Dissection

Well, it’s time! The last two Scripture dissections, God’s Timing and God’s Humor, we left something completely unresolved. The famine! And really – that’s an important development. We built up to it, showing how people suffered intolerably for three years. Now, Elijah introduces he’s back! And then introduces it’s God’s timing to end the famine. So, here is the amazing story – with a couple of twists and some teaching points. Read More …

Read More »

Your Valuable Life

Have you had the joy of watching little kids when they get in front of a mirror? They have heart-warming and sometimes hilarious interactions. These little ones have such authenticity and vulnerability as they interact with “themselves” in the mirror. What about you? When you look in the mirror, who do you see? Do you value the reflection of that person? Are you authentically being “you” each day? Read More …

Read More »

Feeling Down: 6 Helpful Tips

Feeling down is a common, yet challenging condition to manage. Whether over-tired, mistreated, discouraged, or even struggling with depression – being on the “down side” is real.

The first thing I want to say – “You’re not the only one!” Feeling down is a common human experience. And today’s content discusses “feeling down,” as well as 6 helpful tips. Read More …

Read More »

God’s Humor – Scripture Dissection

What situation comes to your mind when you hear that old saying – “God has a sense of humor?” I have numerous scenarios that come to mind. Oddly, it seems God’s humor is at play more often than we realize. And it’s a brilliant sense of humor. As humans, we try to develop a sense of humor, especially in teen years. And since we are made in God’s image, the quality of humor is there to be developed. I want to look at God’s humor as we continue Part 2 of our Scripture dissection of 1 Kings 18. This is exciting content. Read More …

Read More »