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    Stuck in Reverse: How to Let God Change Your Direction
    Stuck in Reverse: How to Let God Change Your Direction
    Stuck in Reverse: How to Let God Change Your Direction
    Ebook132 pages1 hour

    Stuck in Reverse: How to Let God Change Your Direction

    By Charles F. Stanley

    2.5/5

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    About this ebook

    Ever wondered why it seems your life is going nowhere? Thoughts of giving up, tossing in the towel, and walking away plague your every step. In Stuck in Reverse, Dr. Charles Stanley issues one clear call, “No matter what life sends your way, don’t give up. God is at work, and if you will let Him, He will show you the steps you need to take to be free from the bondages of low self-esteem, fear, and disappointment.”  

    Fear, sin, disbelief, and hesitation can paralyze a person, but God has a wonderful plan in mind for your life. Dr. Charles Stanley explains how you can 

    • break free of the reverse rut
    • enjoy the good things God has for you
    • experience success as you place your trust in God 

    Wrong turns and detours do not have to prevent you from reaching your dreams and goals. Get ready to shift out of reverse and into drive as you learn how to live an abundant life full of hope and meaning.

     

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherZondervan
    Release dateFeb 10, 2008
    ISBN9781418536787
    Author

    Charles F. Stanley

    Dr. Charles F. Stanley was the founder of In Touch Ministries and pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church of Atlanta, Georgia, where he served more than fifty years. He was also a New York Times bestselling author of more than seventy books. Until his death in 2023, Dr. Stanley's mission was to get the gospel to "as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, as clearly as possible, as irresistibly as possible, through the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God." This is a calling that In Touch Ministries continues to pursue by transmitting his teachings as widely and effectively as possible. Dr. Stanley's messages can be heard daily on In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley broadcasts on television, radio, and satellite networks and stations around the world; on the internet at intouch.org and through In Touch+ and the Charles Stanley Institute; and via the In Touch Messenger Lab. Excerpts from Dr. Stanley's inspiring messages are also published in the award-winning In Touch devotional magazine.

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    Book preview

    Stuck in Reverse - Charles F. Stanley

    INTRODUCTION

    God Will Change Your Direction

    Most of us know what it feels like to be lost while driving in an unfamiliar city or neighborhood. One moment we are traveling along without any problem. Then suddenly we are fighting sinking feelings that result from having taken a wrong turn. No matter how hard we try to dismiss the hounding thoughts, the reality cannot be denied. We are on the wrong road, and we are headed in the opposite direction from where we need to be. If we continue, we will be even farther off course. At this point we have to stop and double-check our map so we can figure out how to turn around and get going in the right direction.

    We can have the same experience as we travel the road of life. If you feel as though you are lost or you have been traveling for some time in reverse, I want to assure you that God can change your direction. However, you must be willing to listen for His voice and obey His call. No matter how difficult the challenge may seem or how dark your sin appears, God loves you and He wants to guide you to a place of hope and restoration.

    At one of the toughest junctures of his life, the apostle Paul wrote, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of [God’s goal] yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13–14).

    Paul’s heart was not set on worldly passions or pleasing a group of people. It was set only on one thing—living for Jesus Christ. He wanted to know the Savior. He refused to allow negative feelings to weigh him down or prevent him from experiencing God’s love and grace. He also resisted the pull of this world and its many snares, which were set to spiritually bind and cripple him.

    There are many people who are emotionally, mentally, and physically stuck because they have believed Satan’s age-old lie that says we do not need God. Adam and Eve fell into the same trap. They doubted the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness. In doing so, they never experienced the peace and joy that come from having an intimate relationship with the Savior.

    When you realize you have taken a wrong turn in life, you need to stop and pray. God knows exactly where you are and what it will take to lead you home. He is not embarrassed by your sin or shortcomings, and He openly proclaims His love for you. Confessing your sin to Him opens up a line of communication between you and the Savior that nothing can break.

    Second, ask Him to forgive you. God will never give up on you. His overarching plan is for you to come to know Him as your Savior and Lord. This is His ultimate will. However, He also has many plans and desires for your life—all of which are incredible and full of His hope for the future. One wrong decision or even a series of failures cannot diminish His love for you. He meets you right where you are and gives you a bright new future.

    Third, ask God to motivate you so that you will begin to go forward by following His road map instead of the selfish desires of your heart. He answers prayer, and He is always willing to forgive and restore. Any discipline He allows to touch your life is designed with a loving purpose to teach you how to follow and obey Him. The world may offer temporary happiness, but only God gives abundant joy that lasts an eternity.

    People who realize they are traveling in reverse usually respond in one of two ways: either they turn and walk toward the Lord, or they ignore His call and continue traveling in misery and sorrow. You do not have to travel away from God any longer. Right now you can turn and walk toward the one Person who loves you just the way you are. The moment you acknowledge that you have taken the wrong route and that you want your life to change, God moves mightily on your behalf (Isa. 30:18–19).

    In Joel, He tells us, I will make up to you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten (2:25). You may have drifted in your devotion to the Lord, but He is waiting for you to return to Him. Or perhaps you have never made a commitment to love and obey Him. My prayer is that this book will be used in your life to encourage you to follow the Savior and begin to spend time with Him in prayer and worship.

    If you will allow God to work, He will restore all that has been lost. It may not be exactly the same, but whatever He gives, it will be more than enough to meet every need you have, to the point of overflowing.

    Charles F. Stanley

    CHAPTER ONE

    How Did You Get Here?

    It was a beautiful day—the kind that seemed perfect in every way. The weather was fantastic, the scenery was beautiful, and the temperature was just right. I had traveled to Oregon on a photography trip. A few days into the venture, I found myself driving on a road built alongside a rambling river with numerous waterfalls. I had gotten up before dawn to have the correct light for the photographs I wanted to take. However, after stopping beside the river I realized something was not right. The lighting was wrong, and I knew it would be later in the day before it would be exactly what I needed for my photographs.

    Since I had plenty of time, I decided to look over the map to see what other points of interest were close by. I remembered that Mount Hood was only a few miles away, but could I drive there before the sun was too high? Early in the morning and late in the evening are some of the best times to photograph. This is when the colors are the richest and most inviting.

    As I suspected, Mount Hood was only a short drive away. However, I needed to get away from the cloister of the river and find a road that would lead me to an area that overlooked the mountain. I also noticed on the map that there was a small lake near the mountain, and I began to imagine taking a photograph of the mountain’s reflection in the small glasslike lake. The scene would be quiet, thought provoking, and most of all, one that would portray the glory of God’s majesty. So I started my car and headed in Mount Hood’s direction.

    I continued along the road until—just as I had imagined—a small mirrorlike lake appeared in the distance. Looming in the background was the image of Mount Hood in all its inescapable wonder. I pulled the car over and parked in a place where I could unload my equipment and set it up. After taking several photos, I walked back to the car, climbed in, and thought that since the lighting had changed, I would return to the river and finish photographing the stream that had appeared so relaxing earlier.

    At that moment, a thought passed through my mind urging me to check the gas gauge. To my shock, it was close to empty. I had been completely absorbed in what I was doing—photographing the beautiful scenery and enjoying my surroundings—but now my mind raced to retrace the route I had taken an hour earlier. Suddenly I remembered that I had not passed a gas station. Quickly I grabbed the map and confirmed what I already had thought: the nearest town was miles away, and I did not have enough gas to get there.

    It appeared I was stuck!

    God Always Has the Answer We Need

    Many people spend a great part of their lives living out over and over again what I have just described. They start out living for the Lord—walking step-by-step beside Him—and then suddenly they are off running in a different direction, never thinking about the consequences of their actions or their choices.

    I was miles away from where I was staying, and I realized I needed help. Daylight in a mountainous area can disappear quickly, and I did not want to spend the night in the shadow of Mount Hood.

    What do you do when you realize you are in the wrong place—stuck in reverse when you should be moving forward? Many people panic or simply collapse and give up. But God never wants us to do that. His desire is for us to learn to trust Him at all times in all kinds of situations.

    Immediately I prayed, Lord, You know my circumstances. You know how far the next gas station is from where I am located. You are totally in control, and I am asking You to send me the help I need. In faith, I turned the key over in the ignition. However, before I could put the car into drive, I heard something that sounded like a very large truck coming in my direction. To my amazement, it was a power company truck. The man driving it pulled into a space right in front of my car. He got out and climbed a nearby utility pole, adjusted something, and came back down.

    I got out

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