No Limits! It’s Time to Break Free.

3 Keys to Getting Unstuck

At the beginning of this year I heard the Lord say, “Don’t be tethered to the problems, fears or insecurities of others. Focus on my promise. Walk forward. Cut that tether regardless of whether they are willing to move with you. Trust me to take care of them. If you don’t let go, you will be stuck and so will they because you are meant to be a trailblazer for others to follow.”  

True fact, we cannot blaze a trail or be a forerunner if we are tethered to the past. We can’t cater to the fears or insecurities of others either because all that does is enable them to remain stuck in their self-made prisons. If we are not careful, we will allow the prisons which hold others back to also hold us back from obeying the call of God to move ahead. We can all choose to cut our tethers and march forward into destiny. When we do and only when we do will others be able to see a path forward into freedom. If we stay behind to coddle them or attempt to wait until they are “ready,” they will never be forced to mature and simultaneously we will never move forward on the path of God’s ordained purpose.

Here’s the thing though, it is easy to say, but it is another thing entirely to take the bold action needed to actually do it.  

Here are 3 keys to getting unstuck and breaking free from unhealthy patterns and routines.

1. Be obedient, even if no one else likes it! 

We must count the cost of every action or inaction we choose. We would all agree in principle that when it comes to obedience versus disobedience to the Almighty God, obedience is the only real option. We trust Him and He is good. But sometimes doing good comes with some very difficult choices. Sometimes doing good can make you look like the bad guy initially until the dust settles. Sometimes the dust won’t settle for a very long time. We must be willing to do what is necessary anyway? 

I'll give you an example from the bible. Remember Isaac and Rebecca? Gen. 25:22-23 tells us that their twin sons, Jacob and Esau struggled within the womb and God told Rebecca when she inquired of the Lord that two nations were in her womb and the elder son would serve the younger. The bible also tells us in verse 28 that Isaac favoured Esau but Rebecca favoured Jacob.  

As you read on in the chapter Rebecca helps Jacob deceive Isaac so that he inadvertently gives Jacob the blessing of the first born. For years I struggled with the concept that Esau's own mother conspired against him so that her favoured son (Jacob) would take what rightfully belonged to him. But is that the whole story?  

The Lord highlighted this story to me a couple months ago and He said, "you know, Rebecca was operating in obedience to my word while Isaac was rooted in traditions of old." What? All this time I thought that Isaac was behaving righteously and Rebecca was conniving. Then he reminded me of verse 23, "and the elder shall serve the younger." This was the word God spoke to Rebecca as she carried both boys in her womb. She held on to that word as they grew.

 I'm sure that even though Rebecca favoured Jacob, she actually loved both her sons. Imagine the emotions she must have been feeling as Isaac lay on his death bed knowing that the easier thing to do would be to allow her husband to bless their first born as tradition dictated. Yet, she had a word from God and she knew that action needed to be taken before it was too late. We don't know if she discussed this word from God with Isaac over the years or if she kept it to herself. The bible doesn’t say but we can try to put ourselves in Rebecca's shoes. 

Here she’s lived her whole life with the awareness of God’s will for her children and now it is blessing day and she has to act quickly. Her husband considers the blessing to be Esau’s birthright out of tradition. Rebecca heard God tell her that Jacob was to be the head of the family. So she conspires with Jacob to “steal” Esau’s blessing. They succeed and now the whole household is in chaos. 

2. Be obedient even if it comes at a great personal cost. 

Once the deed is done, Jacob flees for his life and guess who is left holding down the home front? Rebecca. She is left at home caring for her confused, angry and sick husband and on top of that, every single day she has to face the anger, depression, sadness and brokenness of the son she betrayed. 

Culturally, the first born was given a double portion of the family wealth for the purpose of caring for the rest of the family and the widow. In this scenario, the blessed one has flown the coop and the betrayed intended recipient is still at home. What if Esau left? What if Esau decided to take his inheritance and bid adieu to his mother. Rebecca could have been left a widow without means. Imagine the stress and sorrow and fear she must have felt. Her obedience created chaos. Can you imagine what it would have been like at the dinner table in their home?  

The Bible records that Rebecca favoured Jacob but I believe her motive for doing what she did was about obedience to God’s word to her. She didn't pay any mind to the consequences of her actions on herself. She simply decided to obey. It was messy and I’m sure very painful as well. 

How committed and willing are we to obey God, even if the people nearest and dearest to us do not understand what we are doing or why we are doing it?  

3. Be obedient even when others are not willing to believe.

Sometimes we have to shoulder some harsh criticism and live with the fallout of hurt feelings, bruised egos and temper tantrums when we choose to walk in obedience. We don’t like to talk about this but it is true. 

Did Isaac know about the word God gave Rebecca? I have my theory. I believe he did. I believe Isaac either didn’t believe Rebecca when she told him God’s word to her over their children or he was unwilling to forego tradition for fear of what others might say. Perhaps when he saw that Esau was the more rugged brother he thought Rebecca got it wrong. 

The thing is, if God has given you foresight and asked you to make the first move, you have to step out and make the move even if with the natural eye it doesn’t look reasonable. God knew who Jacob was and God also knew how to cause him to come higher and develop the skills he would need to not only lead his household but also father the entire nation of Israel. 

Rebecca’s story is just one of many examples of hard choices and lonely decisions in the bible. God is highly invested in us walking in obedience and pursuing His purpose for our lives. It is not for our sake alone that he requires our obedience. It is for the sake of the unfolding of His plans into reality. If Rebecca had not obeyed God, Jacob would not have had his name changed to Israel. Biblical history and the story of our redemption as we know it was contingent on this one act of obedience. Funny that it looked like disobedience and betrayal to those who lived it.

Rebecca was a regular mom who carried a word from God in her heart for a lifetime and then walked in obedience at the appointed time. Thank God she was willing.

We are in a season of shifting paradigms. God wants to position you for the unfolding of your destiny. Your obedience is the key. 

I realize that all three keys really boil down to one … obey at all costs. Not everyone’s obedience will be this dramatic. But if yours is, will you obey?

Don’t allow fear of backlash or the opinions of others to hold you back. We each must cut all unauthorized tethers and forge forward, blazing trails as we go so that others can follow.

You are a trail-blazer! 

Are there tethers in your life that need to be cut so that you can obey the voice of God? Tell me about it.

Have an awesome week and remember that you are loved and deeply cherished by Jesus and by me!

PS … I am at the Women on the Front Lines Global Convention in Phoenix Arizona this week. It starts tomorrow (Thursday, July 26th and ends Saturday July 28th). You can watch the live stream for free. Get all the details here.