“Just hang on,” he told me.
I was at the wrong end of a washing machine stuck cattywampus in the stairwell half-way down to the basement. The heavy metal box towered above as I tried to hold it from sliding on top of me.
I did just as he said, I hung on.
I didn’t have much choice.
The narrow stairwell didn’t really leave much of a path to go around. I vaguely remember his suggestion he could climb over the top and be “right with me,” while I hung on below.
There may or may not have been some marital distress at that point.
The washing machine incident happened a long time ago, but, I’ve been in that position of just hanging on many times in my life. Most of us know the feeling of teetering in between, unable to change course, and of facing fearful consequences when hanging on becomes almost impossible.
So what is to be done in life when going backward is impossible, but so is going forward? Feeling stuck hurts.
David hung on in dark damp caves while Saul hunted him down.
The spies on Rahab’s rooftop had no place they could go. They hid under drying stalks, holding their breath, stilling their beating hearts as their enemies searched for them.
The Apostle Paul swung like a cable car through an opening in the city wall, lowered in a basket by friends to escape certain death from his enemies.
A fish vomited Jonah out on dry land, helping him know which way to go.
A widow’s only son was raised to life again when she most certainly must have wondered how to go on.
And, an angel opened locked doors so Peter could walk out of prison.
God provided a way when there was none, over and over again. And He has done the same for us whether or not we recognize it.
But when life seems it can go neither forward nor backward, and we are hanging on, Jesus never leaves us.
Stuck places, those claustrophobic situations from which we want so very badly to escape, are the very places God wants us to hang on to Him. Those are the stories He fills with Himself.
In Luke 18 Jesus tells a parable about a persistent widow. She needed justice, but the judge was corrupt. Although her situation neither moved forward nor backward, she persisted. She was persistent in her request. She hung on, and finally because she didn’t give up, the judge gave in. Stuck places, those claustrophobic situations from which we want so very badly to escape, are the very places God wants us to hang on to Him. Share on X
The story got my attention because of the first verse in the chapter.
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. (Luke 18:1 NIV)
The parable’s principal point isn’t in getting what the woman wanted, the injustice she suffered, the political powers she fought, or the victory she finally achieved. It’s about prayer. The kind that doesn’t let go.
Jesus wanted His disciples to pray persistently because their Judge, Our Judge, is just and loving. His character, unlike the unjust judge the woman confronted, is good and pure.
In those stuck places of life we learn the preciousness of prayer. We become acquainted with the Righteous Judge who has the power to answer in the right way. We learn to let go of the heavy weights and claim His will as best.
Persistent prayer demonstrates faith in the character of our God who listens to our needs and hears our hearts.
In reality, the washing machine heading my way was truly stuck. It wedged itself into the rungs of the stairway and was not going anywhere at that point. Although I expected it to crush me like an insect, in the end, I was virtually only offering a bit of balance to the situation. Persistent prayer demonstrates faith in the character of our God who listens to our needs and hears our hearts. Share on X
My husband did manage to get around it and we brought it down together. Although “together” may be a relative word here as well as a slight exaggeration.
Persistent prayer, like the woman Jesus spoke of in Luke, “to show them that they should always pray and not give up,” tightens our grip as we hang on. To “always pray” places faith in the only One helps us go forward and takes our eyes off of crushing situations.
Don’t give up. God holds every impossible and stuck circumstance in His completely capable hands. He will never let go of us.
*Feature Photo by Hu Chen on Unsplash
I recently had an article published on Crosswalk.com about a subject which I found fascinating. I hope you do too.
How Does Knowing How the Chiasm Works Transform Our Bible Reading?
Barbara Latta
A timely post, Sylvia, as we can all find ourselves stuck in situations every day.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Barbara. I know I for one get stuck far too often!!
Sue Kroeker
I got stuck helping David move a queen size bed down our basement steps. I injured my Achilles’ tendon in the process🤣 but I held on and God healed my heel in His time when I thought I was going to have that pain forever! I enjoy your writing so much, Sylvia❣️
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks so much Sue!! I can picture you and David! I’ve done the mattress thing too. So sorry you got hurt, but glad it healed. I’m glad you enjoyed the post!!
Cheryl Balcom
This made me laugh (“There may have been some marital distress at that point”) but also thoughtfully ponder that persistent widow. I have been thinking about her often as I daily lay unsaved loved ones before the Lord. Thanks for your encouragement. 🙂
Sylvia Schroeder
Oh Cheryl, thank you! What a precious thought about laying loved ones before the Father. I can just imagine the heart of the Father as He loves them and wants us to continue in persistent prayer. I’m so glad you shared that thought. And I’m glad I made you laugh!
Jeannie Waters
Sylvia, your post is relevant to so many areas of our lives. Here’s my favorite sentence: “God holds every impossible and stuck circumstance in His completely capable hands. He will never let go of us.”
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Jeannie. I love that you liked that last bit because that is sort of where I placing my faith-stake right now. His hands are capable and regardless of how my situations may turn out, He won’t let go.
Kerry Davis
This is a great reminder when praying for prodigal children. Never give up because God is always at work.
Sylvia Schroeder
Kerry, I’m so glad you mentioned the prodigals. Persistent prayer is definitely God’s desire on our end. His capable hands holds each of them dearly as we bring them before Him.
Katherine Pasour
Your message reminded me of a similar situation I had assisting with a water pump task. But your deeper meaning isn’t lost on me. Like you, and others, I’ve been through those experiences of being overwhelmed by circumstances, crushed by burdens I couldn’t carry. But I wasn’t alone. Our Lord was with me every moment. I just had to hang on and call out to Him. Thank you for this message of hope.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Katherine. Seems like I’m not the only one who’s done some heavy weights! I appreciate hearing the encouragement from someone who’s been there!
Yvonne Morgan
Thank goodness God never gives up on me because of all the times I need Him to rescue me. Thanks for sharing Sylvia
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Yvonne! I am so glad He rescues us!
Charla
You had no clue, but God knew how timely this post would be for me. I always appreciate your obedience to His lead. Thank you, friend.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Charla. Your words are precious to me today as well! I hope to see you soon!
J.D. Wininger
It’s when we have no choice but to “hang on” that we want to make sure of Who we are hanging onto. Great post, ma’am.
Sylvia Schroeder
And definitely not a washing machine! Thanks J.D.!
Delphia Wiebe
Thank you Sylvia for this post. Very encouraging to me today. I highlighted Luke 18:1 in my Bible… need to be reminded of those words often!
Sylvia Schroeder
Well, that made my day! Love it when something God said in His Word is highlighted by a post. Thank you for sharing that!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Jeff!