How to Have Hope When You Hit “The Wall”
For the past several weeks, I’ve written about making 2023 the Year of The Word. I’ve challenged you to focus on knowing Christ in greater depth and intimacy. Whereas I had a plan for this particular blog along the same line of thought, it didn’t come to fruition. Concepts and ideas rattled around in my mind without ever creating a cohesive thought.
Hitting The Wall
Life is like that. In fact, you may have experienced something similar as you began your year. For example, you may have had a 5 point plan, or just a clear set of steps to get you going, and then Wham! You hit what I call “The Wall.” You’ve been stopped, stymied, and stalled.
In my personal scenario, I processed through my typical habits that generally allow my brain to assimilate all I’m reading and learning. However, I now have a small book of notes that seem to travel in circles without landing anywhere. I was not formulating a blog of any sort!
Responding to The Wall
As I considered my time frame for the blog’s posting, along with the other things I also needed to finish, I began to worry. God’s Spirit gently nudged me to write out my frustration. Consequently, I began to write in free verse.
I jotted down words and pictures, fears and frustrations. My schedule was such that I had to leave it sitting on my desk as I left to fulfill other commitments. When I returned to my desk, it occurred to me that we were hitting that time in January when many of us hit “The Wall.”
For instance, you have a plan, but something is hindering you. Perhaps you are experiencing an illness that has halted the rhythm of your life. Or possibly, the details of your life are overwhelming, and you just feel stuck. Your wall could be financial, physical, emotional, or relational.
God with Us
God reminded me as I sat facing my personal wall, He was with me. I felt lost, uncertain, and inadequate. Despite this, He was not lost; He knew exactly where I was and where He is leading me. God was certain, certain of truth, and certain of His sovereignty. In addition, God is never inadequate; He is always able because He is omnipotent.
As we get to know The Word, Jesus Christ, God incarnate, with greater depth and more intimacy, we become more familiar with Truth. We learn to recognize the presence of God’s Spirit more quickly. Plus, we gain the wisdom to rely more assuredly on the peace and power God’s presence provides us. Even when we are at The Wall.
Allow me to remind you, you may be facing a wall, but you do not face it alone.
Hope at The Wall
“Now my beloved ones, I have saved these most important truths for last: Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. Stand victorious with the force of his explosive power flowing in and through you. Put on God’s complete armor provided for us, so that you will be protected as you fight against the evil strategies of the accuser! Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage. Because of this, you must wear all the armor that God provides so you’re protected as you confront the slanderer, for you are destined for all things and will rise victorious.”
Ephesians 6:10-13 The Passion Translation
Your wall may feel as formidable as mine felt. It’s possible your wall is thicker and higher than mine ever was. The size of the wall doesn’t matter when we consider God is our Savior. We may need to scale the wall, or tear it down one brick at a time, but the end result is the same. We stand victorious with God; His power will prevail. Praise be to God.
The Wall
I’ve hit The Wall,
there is no forward motion.
I glance around me
searching for a passage
over…
or around.
Perhaps under?
Possibly through.
The wall feels solid.
Formidable.
Unchanging.
My spirit dips toward despair
as I wonder:
Why is the wall here?
Why now?
I pause my rambling thoughts
and consider:
Did I create the wall?
Is this standstill of my own making?
The wall extends beyond
my visual periphery.
No gate.
No door.
No window.
Not even a peephole to glance through
to the other side.
The wall doesn’t mock me.
It just remains.
Its severity weighs down hope
and barricades enterprising thought.
Now what?
How do I proceed?
Frustration builds
as I tangle with the silence
that produces no answer.
I stand surveying
~ and despising ~
The Wall.
Its top towers too high above my reach.
I close my eyes. I sigh
and feel the burden of uncertainty,
the strain of indecision.
God’s Spirit whispers to my soul.
I remember the plea of the Psalmist.
I allow David’s words to
penetrate my anxiety
and soothe my distress.
“To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
in You I trust, O my God…
Show me your ways, O Lord,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth
and teach me.
For you are God,
my Savior,
and my hope is in you
all day long.”
(Psalm 25:1-5)
For the time-being
The Wall remains.
Massive.
Unyielding.
Menacing.
And…
I do not stand alone.
I touch the wall to measure its steadfastness,
while experiencing the greater faithfulness of
The Holy One who stands with me.
My mind duels fear
as my soul leans into
The Word of Truth.
I breathe in God’s reassurance.
I choose the peace of knowing
I am loved
I am saved
And…
The Lord knows the way.
Even as I stand at The Wall.
Woman at The Wall Photo by Maarten van den Heuvel on Unsplash
I love this thought about the “walls” we are facing in this life. Coupled with The Word and Him standing with us as we face our walls gives me comfort and peace even when I can’t see what is on the other side of the wall. His Word has been my Rock and what I call my “lifeline”. This last year He gave me Eph 3:20-21. “Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, by the power within us, to Him be Glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever”. The walls can seem, or should I say ARE, huge, thick and hard to knock down. Only the Word can do what we can’t even imagine! Praise His Holy Name!
What a wonderful verse to consider when looking at a wall! I especially love the line “by the power within us.” God, the one who is able to do immeasurably more blesses us with His presence inside us. It’s so beautifully mind-boggling and reassuring. I love your phrasing “Only the Word can do what we can’t even imagine!” Praise His Holy name indeed!