Out of the Rut

Yesterday the post was about being in a rut.  Today's is about getting out of the rut you may find yourself in.....and if you are like most men there are times when you feel you are just in a rut.  And, by the way, occasional "rut-itis" comes with that thing we are all afflicted with....being human. It is inevitable that there will be times we feel that way. So that said, what do we do with it? Following are some things that often help with being in a rut:

• First, don't hide from the fact that you feel you are in a rut when you feel that way.  Acknowledge it....own it.
• Don't beat up on yourself because you aren't Superman and that you feel as if you are in a rut.
• If you have thought about the reasons why you find yourself in a rut, then think about what changes you can make to change that.  Some suggestions would include:
• If it is partly relational, first talk about the feelings you have.  It may well be that your wife or girlfriend, or kids don't know how you feel, or haven't noticed it.
• then talk about how to turn it around
• Perhaps you may need to get into a spontaneous routine of doing date nights or specific fun times at irregular intervals (anything to avoid sameness.
• If it is a spiritual rut you are feeling, communication and transparency are two of the best methods of beginning the change process.
• A close and trusted confidante may well have a few eye opening thoughts to share along that line...perhaps simple things you can do to break up the monotony.
• Understand that sometimes getting into a rut has been a process, and as such treat getting out of the rut not an event but a process.
• come up with a rut-busting plan.....then implement it, and follow it, and enjoy it!
• See forward for positive change.
• In a relational rut healing process, savor the good moments, the happy moments....they are infectious, and very healing.
• In a spiritual rut, embrace and hold tight the fact that God never stops loving you and never, ever, gives up on anyone....YOU INCLUDED!
• Keep your eye on your reward for working to know Christ....Heaven.  Nothing trumps that!
• Love yourself for being able to look at yourself and any brokenness you may find there.
• And love yourself for having the understanding that fixing that brokenness is a process and then embrace that process.

Rut-itis is a permanent condition only if we allow it to be....if we make those choices that allow it to be. 

Just like the trip to the Grand Canyon, there was great beauty after being in the ruts.