Ever feel like you’re boring or stuck in a monotonous rut? There could be many definitions of a rut, but when I think of one, two things come to mind: doing the same thing over and over, and doing something that isn’t what I most want to be doing. Repetition itself isn’t bad. In fact, a healthy amount of routine strengthens discipline and order in our lives.
I remember when our kids were school-age and summer vacation began. Almost all routine flew straight out the window. It felt freeing for a little while, but by the end of summer, we couldn’t wait for them to get back to school just so life would have structure again. Even though getting back into routine took a little adjustment, it always felt good. My daily disciplines returned—and it refreshed me.
I enjoy routine, but like anyone, I also enjoy the spice of life: date nights, time with friends, special events, vacations, and those occasional change-ups that make life interesting. Repetition is fine as long as it serves a purpose, contributes to my growth, and helps me reach my goals. But meaningless repetition—doing things with no value and no fruit—makes me feel stuck in a rut.
The logical answer would be, Well, just break out of it! If only it were that easy, none of us would ever stay in a rut for long.
The Apostle Paul described his ruts this way in Romans 7:15, 18–19 (NLT):
“I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate... No matter which way I turn, I can’t make myself do right. I want to, but I can’t. When I want to do good, I don’t. And when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway.”
Paul was describing the struggle of living carnally—living by the flesh rather than by the Spirit. But he didn’t stop there. He went on to remind us that as believers, we are not trapped in that old way of thinking. That was our life before Christ. Now, the Bible says we are children of God. We have received His nature, His Spirit, and even His mind—the mind of Christ. Because of that, we can break out of ruts and make the changes the Holy Spirit leads us into.
Romans 8:9 (NLT) reinforces this truth:
“But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you…”
Whenever I feel myself slipping into a rut, I meditate on this truth. I have the Spirit of God living in me. I am not controlled by old habits, fleshly impulses, or patterns that drain life out of me. By the power of the Holy Spirit, I can change things anytime God leads me to.
There is something else I do—something I’ve practiced in various forms over my 42 years as a Christian. It has helped me more than anything else to rise above bad routines and establish good ones. What is it?
I commune with God early—before I start anything else in my day.
As soon as I wake up, I begin talking with the Lord, meditating on His promises, and reminding myself of who He says I am.
Psalm 5:3 (NIV) says, “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”
Psalm 143:8 (NLT) says, “Let me hear of your unfailing love to me in the morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I have come to you in prayer.”
Isaiah 50:4 declares, “The Sovereign Lord has given me His words of wisdom… Morning by morning He wakens me and opens my understanding to His will.”
I talk with God and let His Word speak to me. I discuss my day with Him. I ask Him to use me, strengthen me, and help me be a light for Him. I ask Him to empower me to make necessary changes and to accomplish what He wants me to do. In that quiet place of communing with Him, His strength comes—and my confidence in His help grows.
It’s in those early, quiet moments that I gain clarity on what needs to change and receive the daily strength to change it. Ruts suffocate life, but Spirit-led changes bring refreshing freedom and joy.
Try it—and watch the Lord breathe fresh life into your days.
Isaiah 43:19 (NIV) says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
