Intrusive Thought: “I’m stuck, and my future is not promising.”

In this episode, we bring to God the thought, “I’m stuck, and my future is not promising.” Through Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11, and Philippians 4:6–7, we remember that God is not done, His plans are still good, and His peace can meet us in the middle of uncertainty.

Transcript

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Welcome to Out Loud Renewed. It's your girl here, Stephanie, and this podcast is for those of us who love Jesus and still wrestle with the loud thoughts, anxiety, and those quiet lies that follow us into the day. We rely on 2 Corinthians 10 5, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalted itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. In each episode, we'll take one intrusive thought, name it honestly, no sugar coating, and then walk it through the word of God together. We'll slow down, breathe, and practice actually saying truth out loud so our minds can be renewed in his presence. My prayer and intention is that this becomes a gentle space where you don't have to perform. You just get to be honest before God and let his word sit louder than what you feel. Welcome to Out Loud Renewed, a gentle space to renew your mind in God's presence. Here we slow down, notice our thoughts, and learn to lift the word of God above what we feel. Take a deep breath, settle in, and let's lean into him together. Today we are bringing to God this thought. I'm stuck, and my future is not promising. Now, to name it honestly, this thought shows up for me when I feel tested from every side and I can't clearly see the next steps. In this journey, I think I previously mentioned before in my other podcast, since I've come to Christ, I've struggled with denying myself and wrestling with God and letting go of the reins. So as I'm on this journey, there were some times in my life that I've deceived myself to think that I've been faithfully bringing all my desires and plans to him. But if I can be honest, I haven't. So as I'm trying to work, follow God, and stay humble, I'm constantly figuring out where is he leading me. Can y'all see the problem already? I'm still trying to take the driver's seat and I know my driving isn't the best. My story can clearly show you. It sometimes feels as if I've moved from one season to another, one career path to another, or one lesson to another, and I'm still a forever learner. And while I love learning, there are moments when learning doesn't pay the bills. It doesn't immediately bring in income or security, and that's when I start asking, okay, God, what now? I'm not as young as I thought I'd be at this point, and I still have so many desires in my heart. But I can look back and see the ways God has helped me make things happen when I put my mind to something. And in those times, I've taken it to God and perceive it as Him approving it. And can that always be true? I don't know. So when I feel stuck, part of me starts wondering, did I miss you somewhere? I've also had highs and lows, and sometimes it feels like the goalpost keeps moving. I've dealt with rejection, hurt, and disappointment along this journey, and for a long time, I've allowed those experiences to shape my identity. But God keeps bringing me back to the truth, that he renews our minds and he frees us from the lies that the enemy wants us to believe. So when this thought hits, I'm stuck and I don't know what my future looks like, I feel anxious, heavy, and uncertain. Reasonably so. When you have these thoughts, you can honestly probably react and start feeling these things. The problem becomes is when you stay in that feeling. But I've digressed. Let me keep going. I feel the pressures of expenses, responsibilities, and the weight of not knowing what tomorrow holds. And sometimes I also feel misunderstood, judged, or like people only see pieces of me instead of the full picture. And it sounds convincing, y'all, because my life does not look exactly the way I thought it would at this point. And honestly, I have to say this too. Even though my external circumstances may not be something I will boast about right now, I have found more peace in this season than I ever have before. I still have struggles. I'm not gonna say that I I don't struggle, but mentally I do feel more rooted and strong. And with those real disappointments and real misunderstanding and real pressure, you know, the enemy tries to slip in and take those difficult times and turn it into a final conclusion. You're stuck, you're done, your future isn't going anywhere. So my favorite part, we're gonna bring his lies to the word. So Romans 8 28 says, And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Jeremiah twenty nine, eleven says, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. And Philippians four, six through seven says, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. I want to read those again a little bit differently and slowly and let them land. Despite the turmoil, God is still at work for the good of those who love him. He's not wasting my pain, my delays, or my detours. He is using even the hard parts for his eternal purpose. His purpose is not to destroy me, but to restore me to himself. And instead of carrying anxiety like it belongs to me, I can bring everything to him in prayer with gratitude, knowing he is active and faithful. God is not afraid of my honesty, y'all. He searches my heart not to shame me but to lead me. He invites me to bring my anxiety to him, not carried alone. And even when the pressure feels loud, his word reminds me that what rises against his people will not win. Now, these verses tell me something about God, and I'll give you guys a moment to see what it tells you. Well, it tells me he is a God who works with purpose, not punishment. He is a God who receives my anxiety and gives me peace in return. He is a God who protects, leads, and keeps his people. And it also tells me something about my identity. I do not have to stay trapped in fear or agree with every anxious thought. I'm not stuck in one season, one thought, or one moment of confusion. God is still leading me, and his peace can guard me while I walk through this life. So, one simple sentence I want us to hold on to today is this I am not stuck. God's heart is for restoration, and his goodness will keep me. Now, let's walk this thought through a little pattern together. The thought says, I'm stuck, and my future is not promising. But God's word says, be anxious for nothing. I know the plans I have for you. So I choose to believe God is for me, He is leading me, and His peace will guard my mind as He brings me forward. Now take a slow breath in and out and think of your own version of this thought. Maybe it sounds like I missed my chance. I don't know where I'm going. Nothing is changing. Just notice it. Don't shame yourself for it, but just name it. Now I'm gonna say a small declaration. You guys can repeat after me, out loud or in a whisper. I will not be anxious. God sees me, God is with me, God is leading me, and his peace will guard my mind. One more time, y'all. A little shorter. I'm not stuck, I will not be anxious. God is with me. Alright, family. We just named that thought. We spoke God's truth over it, and we chose to agree with him. Now let's take a sacred pause. This ain't just quiet time. This is holy ground where God meets us. Get comfortable where you are, put one hand on your heart, one hand on your belly, feel them rise and fall together as you breathe. Now picture Jesus right there with you. Not in a rush, not in a hurry, just present. Let those scriptures we just read sink deep into your soul. Let it wash over the places those thoughts was trying to grip. And just be no striving, no fixing, just you and him. Now, this part, I've changed it up a little bit. This is the second time or the second podcast that I've done it differently. Now, I'm not claiming to be a scholar nor someone that studies the scriptures in depth, even though that is the goal and that is my desire. Um, I'm learning how to do that. So if you guys have any suggestion or any insight of how I'm applying the scriptures, please let me know because I am so open for correction and for a deeper dive. Um I've watched Bible project, I've watched so many things to kind of guide me in really knowing how to study the scriptures. So for the time that I have right now and for the purpose of this podcast, I've done my best in looking at the context, the political climate, and all that stuff to really, really make sure that you know I'm careful about reading the scripture with context and humility. So here's my attempt. Again, if you guys have any insight or any kind of um teaching moment, if it's constructive criticism, I totally welcome it and receive it and will appreciate it. So here it goes, guys. In the book of Romans, we have cultural and theological conflict, pressure and tension, where Paul writes to bridge the gap and remind both Jews and Gentiles of the gospel and what the cross represented, and that they're both justified by faith. Because apparently believers were very divided during this time because of everything that was going on, and obviously that was a little bit after, not a little bit, but that was after Christ's resurrection. So all these things were happening, and Paul was writing to kind of bring that together and remind them that they were justified by faith. This tells me in reference to Romans 8 28, that despite the turmoil, God is working through even the hardest circumstances for his purpose. That reminds me that conflict, political turmoil doesn't mean the absence of an all-powerful God working all things out for his eternal purpose. This affirms a very consistent God who doesn't change and is relentless in keeping his promise. Similarly, in the book of Jeremiah, the political climate where Jerusalem is at the verge of its collapse and religious instability, and amongst them were many practices not in alignment to God's design. Sounds familiar, y'all? I think we're in that time again. That's why I think history repeats itself. But, anyways, Jeremiah 29 was not a quick fix or a shallow slogan. It was a promise that God had not abandoned his people and that his intention was restoration, not destruction. That matters to me because it reminds me that even in seasons that feel displaced, God still has a plan. Lastly, the book of Philippians, Christians face societal pressure and localized persecution. And here, God is reminding us that we can trust him and we ought to not be consumed by anxiety, but bring everything to God with prayer and thanksgiving. That does not mean lifestyle is being hard. It means my identity cannot be built on worldly status, worldly success, or worldly fear. My home is with the Lord and my peace comes from him. So yes, things will happen, delays will happen, disappointment will happen, but my identity is not in my circumstances. My future is not empty just because it's unclear. So one lesson I'm learning is that my mistakes are not outside of God's plan. And because I'm not of this world, I can rest knowing that there's one who is working everything out. Now I like to pray for you guys. You can go back to that place we were a couple of minutes ago and close your eyes and just receive. God, I left every person listening who feels stuck, overlooked, or afraid of what's ahead. You see the pressure they are carrying, the questions they have not been able to answer, and the places where they feel uncertain. Remind them that you are near, you are faithful, and you are still leading them. Search our hearts, correct our ways, and keep us anchored in your truth. Help us trust that our future is not empty just because it's unclear. Strengthen us to keep walking with you one step at a time, knowing you have not left us. In Jesus' name, Amen. Family, if God used this word to shift something in you today, hit that subscribe or follow button right now so you don't miss the next time we come together like this. Takes two seconds and it helps get this troops to somebody else who needs it. And real quick, if you're on Apple, Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you're listening, leave us a quick review. Just at those stars, say what God's doing through this space. Your words help somebody find their way here when they need renewal the most. Most importantly, share this episode with that one person, your sister, your cousin, your prayer partner who's been carrying the same heavy thought. Be God's megaphone for somebody else today. We'll see you right back here next time as we renew our minds together.