Who’s In Your Corner?

Have you ever backed yourself into a corner? Experienced a time when inner thoughts pushed you back? And then you just got stuck there?

I had to temporarily put a writing project on hold last year because I had to tend to all-consuming personal matters. But when they were taken care of, I started to doubt whether I should resume writing. And I kept thinking about it. Alone. I didn’t share those wrestling thoughts with anyone. And it dragged on and on, steadily pushing me back into a corner—where I got stuck.

The good thing about corners? They’re only two-sided. And, with your back against it, there is a way forward. There’s a wide-open space in front of you.

But… you might need a propeller to nudge you out.

God used a dear friend to coax me out of that corner. The Spirit prompted her to ask the right questions, in the right way, at the right time. Once I honestly shared my struggle, she was able to step into that corner with me and propel me out of it.

Two manuscripts have been completed since then—by the grace of God. All because someone was in my corner, cheering me on and encouraging me forward.

That experience produced some valuable lessons (as hard things usually do).

First, walking with Christ is not a solo stroll. That isn’t a new revelation, but one from the opening pages of Scripture. We can know that cognitively. And we might even know verses like, “Two are better than one,” and “A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” And yet…

In addition, we can develop connections at church. Get involved in small groups. Actively participate in study and discipleship programs. We can even form close relationships with other disciples. You talk, text, meet, socialize, pray… do life together. But we can still be harboring burdens in our inner thoughts. For whatever reason, a person can choose to carry some burdens, while releasing others. I can’t say I’ve figured out the why of that, however. But those silent burdens can stifle us. Make us ineffective. Defeat us. Or paralyze us.

Hopefully I’ve also learned to look. To check the corners for the cornered. How? Ask. Genuinely ask… gently. Not just “How are you,” but “Where are you?” Then, step in—allow God to use you to help them step out.

Where are you right now? Are you in a wrestling ring? On a battlefield? In the wilderness? Stuck in a corner? Those places aren’t meant for one. Pray for God to put someone in your corner. Someone who, with His love, wisdom, and compassion, will encourage you to move forward.

What’s got you cornered? Are you struggling personally with insecurity? Anxiety? Fear? Or possibly some sort of doubt—in God or yourself? There’s no shame in that. Sometimes we can’t muster up enough strength on our own. So, pray for courage to reach out and speak up.

God is in your corner. And He doesn’t want you to stay there. But no one else knows you’re there unless you invite them in… to help get you out.