Don’t Get Stuck in the Mud: A word of encouragement for women

I don’t know about you, but whenever I hear the phrase ‘stuck in the mud’ as a UK millennial, it takes me back to my primary school days. It’s not a phrase I would necessarily associate with a word of encouragement, but it floods me with many happy memories.

My friends and I would play stuck in the mud at break and lunch almost everyday. Without fail, there would always be a fight or argument, and it would usually end in tears, but we loved it, and it was a huge part of our school culture. (If you’ve never heard of this game, and have no idea what I’m talking about click here! I’ve saved you the hassle of having to go and figure it out!)

Despite being something we played repeatedly, it always managed to get us excited. We never had any idea how long a game would last, who would get captured first or how many of us end up getting stuck and rescued.

However, as amusing as it was, there was something equally frustrating about getting caught and being forbidden from moving around. At first, you’d be grateful for the rest because sprinting around a massive playground is quite strenuous! You’d laugh at whoever was it and get a kick out of watching them struggle to catch everyone. But after a while, the reality of others being able to move freely, laugh and joke while you’re stuck, waiting to be rescued would just get irritating. The longer you stood there, the more irritated you’d become and you’d start franticly looking for any and every opportunity to be set free!

I might be a grown-up now but, in some ways, I find that life tends to resemble a game of stuck in the mud at times. You know how it goes, you’re running around getting things done and everything is going according to plan. You’re laughing and moving about freely, crushing your goals and being all productive. Then suddenly your circumstances begin to change, a bunch of problems start to arise, deadlines have to be met, big decisions have to be made and you can only dodge them for so long until you burn out. You try to delay and avoid them, but eventually, they catch up with you. There you find yourself, stuck in the mud. The only difference is that as a Christian, you don’t have to wait for someone to come and rescue you, God will help you find a way out, but it will be on His terms according to His timing!

Do you like what I did there 😉

You’re probably wondering where I’m going with this being as this post is supposed to be a word of encouragement for Christian women. I wasn’t lying! We’re getting to the encouraging part, but you should know me by now! I’m a deep thinker and I love to chat so obviously I’m going to give you the back story and set the scene a little before we dive in! I like to take you guys on a journey with my words…it’s my thing! So, here’s a little more context for you before we get to the encouraging stuff.

Table of Contents

• The Tension Of Transition
• A Prophetic Encounter
• Don’t Get Stuck in the Mud – A word of encouragement for Christian Women
• Victory!
• Victory is coming. Believe it, receive it, rejoice in it…don’t get stuck in the mud!

Another quick note before we dive in…this post contains affiliate links which means that I may earn a commission should you chose to make a purchase using my link.

The Tension Of Transition

I’ve been going through a period of transition for a while but throughout December, I started feeling particularly frustrated and anxious about it. I’ve sensed that a big change is coming in my life for some time now and that the grace of certain assignments is lifting. But with a lack of clarity regarding what’s next, it’s felt rather unsettling, uncomfortable, and slightly discouraging.

I love the way Craig Cooney, a teacher/preacher of the Word with a prophetic gift speaks about transition. In his book ‘The Blueprint’ (which I’ve read and highly recommend by the way!) he refers to transition as “the hallway we journey through between leaving the old and entering the new.”

To me, this is a relatable and accurate way of describing the transition phase and captures exactly how I’ve been feeling. It’s almost like there’s something new coming and I have a rough idea of what it could be, but I have no idea when or how it will happen. Again, it’s like a game of stuck in the mud. I can see other people running around everywhere going through the motions, but my position is fixed, and I can’t seem to progress or move forward!

Doors have slowly been closing, and I can feel my head and heart checking out of things that once brought so much joy, but at the same time, nothing appears to be happening. Can anyone else relate?

Well, if you can, then it’s a good job you’re reading this because the word of encouragement for Christian women that I want to share with you today is this. Drumroll, please…

Don’t get stuck in the mud!

As basic and as silly as this sounds, I believe this is a prophetic word of encouragement for Christian women and an instruction from the Lord. Before you roll your eyes and start cussing me, let me explain why…

A Prophetic Encounter

It was Monday 18th December, and I’d just got home after a long day at the office. My routine every evening after work is pretty much the same. I get in, kick off my shoes and immediately put the kettle on for a spicy vanilla chai brew. Then I usually sit around for about 30 minutes contemplating life until I muster a bit of energy to get back on my feet again and fulfil the standard duties that come with being an adult.

I can’t lie to you; I hate my commute to and from work and the drive often leaves me feeling drained, so it can be a real struggle for me to get home and be productive sometimes. That evening I did my usual – had dinner, showed my kitchen some love, showered and then started to wind down for the night and get comfortable. But as I went to sit on my sofa and put my feet up, something was screaming at me to pick up my notebook and write.

I quickly grabbed my bean bag (yes I still have a beanbag!) placed my notebook on my lap, loaded my favourite soaking music on YouTube, and just let my pen flow. I had no idea what was going to fill up those pages, but I felt a strong sense of urgency to jot something down that I just couldn’t explain.

Before I knew it the holy spirit completely took over, taking me on a journey with the Lord right there in my living room. It was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. What started as a poem to vent my frustration turned into some sort of prophetic poem/word of encouragement/instruction for Christian women all rolled into one.

As I read my notes back, the message was profound! I shared it with a few of the women I know but last week, as I prayed for wisdom regarding my next blog post, I felt strongly encouraged to share this here too. So here it is, ‘Don’t Get Stuck in the Mud’ – a prophetic word of encouragement for Christian women.

But before you proceed here’s a quick disclaimer:

The Bible tells us that the purpose of prophecy is to edify the church and that the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort – 1 Corinthians 14:3-4. However, you always need to weigh and test prophecies that people offer you for yourself. While I believe this is a message the Lord has given me to share with his daughters, I strongly encourage you to take this up with him in prayer and seek him for yourself to confirm whether or not this instruction applies to you. So please, make sure you do that!

Don’t Get Stuck in the Mud – A word of encouragement for Christian Women

A transition’s coming but it’s not here.

A transition’s coming but it feels like it’s nowhere near.

I can feel it coming, but all I want to do is run.

I can feel it coming, but the process I’m enduring to get there isn’t fun.

I wander around aimlessly, anxiously searching for directions and answers. Uneasy, lost and confused I’m searching for any clue that will light the path ahead and give me a glimpse of what’s to come.

I wait patiently, but clarity is nowhere to be found. Instead, faith is required. It seems like an unfair transaction. My vision is obstructed by thick mist, and I can’t even see my own hands right in front of me. Yet somehow, I find myself stepping out, leaning in, and drawing close.

Gods got my back and I’m covered. I know it, I feel it and I believe it, but the gloomy corridor of transition I find myself navigating is becoming extremely narrow. It’s getting difficult to breathe in here and it’s triggering hurtful memories I’m desperately trying to forget. As I get closer and closer to what’s next, I start to feel suffocated and overwhelmed. It feels like I’m drowning in ideas and anticipation…I start to panic.

“Keep going!”, I hear the Lord say. “Keep going, my daughter there’s more in store. Freedom is coming, it’s on the other side but there’s more you must endure.”

Suddenly in my mind, I see a woman walking through thick, heavy mud. She’s covered in it from head to toe, but she presses on, dressed as if she’s ready for combat. A woman who is focused, and determined and nothing can stop her.

The night is dark and stormy, but she persists. She has no clue where she is going, but she’s ready. Desperate to get to the other side she ploughs through. Her legs are heavy, it’s cold and she’s confused. She has no idea what lies in store or how long there is left of her journey, but she knows she’s come too far to turn back. Change is on the horizon.

Closer…

She begins to sense that she’s getting closer. Closer to all the things that God promised her. It’s as if she is holding onto them tightly with a tenacious grip. The conditions continue to deteriorate and get harsher. Yet the harsher they get the more determined she becomes. Then suddenly, the sun appears and illuminates the sky as it starts to rise. Thick grey clouds are erased by a vast blue sky. She stops and starts beaming with joy as tears stream down her face.

Victory!

She punched her arms in the air to celebrate. Victory – she’s reached her destination! She made it and the minute she arrived the atmosphere instantly shifted.

Freshwater showered over her, washing everything she’d accumulated on the arduous journey away. There she glistened. The mud and dirt had been rinsed away with not an ounce of it left behind and she was unrecognisable. As the water showered over her, all the mud dried up and emerald blades of green grass began to sprout everywhere, with flowers blooming all around her.

“She made it because she didn’t give up”, I felt the Lord say.

The process was gruelling, but the closer she got to the finish line the more determined she became. Even though the end of the road didn’t appear to be in sight, she knew it was near because she could feel it. She trusted that feeling, clung to God’s promises and kept going.

She didn’t get stuck in the mud.

The conclusion of a season or assignment can present many challenges, clothe you in a muddy veil and bring turbulent episodes. It can cause your atmosphere to shift, suffocate you with discouragement and make you lose heart. We often find ourselves questioning everything as it all appears to be falling apart.

God, have you abandoned me?

“No”, I feel the Lord say. “It’s the opposite – things are coming together for your good”.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose – Romans 8:28.

A New Season is coming!

As I sat on this image and the words that followed, I felt the Lord put on my heart, that discomfort will often intensify in your life because God is doing something new. You’re not quite ready yet, but you will be soon, and you’ll know when it’s time.

Things seem difficult right now and it might be hard to push through it all because you feel weak and exhausted. You feel like you are covered in mud, dirty from all the mess you’ve tried to navigate…but it’s not your mess to clean up. Don’t be discouraged, God’s about to clean you up and change your circumstances. Victory is close and you can’t give up now!

Keep swimming through the murky waters. I know its unpleasant, but the golden shores of paradise are only a little bit further. I know it’s not within eyeshot but it’s right there in front of you. You need to have faith and believe that. Don’t let the absence of its appearance bring doubt and discourage you. You might not be able to see it with your physical eyes but trust that it’s coming because you’re so close, and things are going to shift a lot quicker than you can even imagine.

It’s right there, stretch out your hand and let God guide you. Let him take the lead while you follow. Trust him and believe that you’re in good hands. No harm will overtake you and no disaster will come near your tent, but you’re going to have to dig deep, find every bit of strength you have left and use it to clasp his hands tightly. He will not let go of you.

He’s never failed so why would he start now?

Victory is coming. Believe it, receive it, rejoice in it…don’t get stuck in the mud!

I know this post has taken you on a journey and you’re probably feeling a mixture of things right now, but as I said earlier, while I strongly believe this is a prophetic encouragement for the Christian woman – I urge you to take this up with the Lord and pray because there’s a lot to unpack here.

Regardless, I know that words have power so I will lean into this and continue to thank him for all that’s to come, even if it isn’t here yet and I declare and decree that your breakthrough is coming in Jesus’ name. It’s right there in front of you so keep going and don’t get stuck in the mud!

If you feel this was a message for you and that it was a word of encouragement, you needed please feel free to drop a comment down below and continue the conversation or connect with me. I’d love to hear from you, but more importantly I’d love to pray for you as you start to approach your new season, whatever it may be!

Thank you for joining me on this little adventure once again.

Stay blessed!

Liv x