Overcoming Stagnation of life

Overcoming Stagnation and Delay

What is Stagnation?

 

Before delving into the strategies of overcoming stagnation and delay, let’s look at what stagnation is, its signs, causes and effects. Stagnation is a state of no progress, or no real movement in the right direction, or ‘slow-motion’, or inactivity, or stand-still. According to the dictionary definition stagnation is a state of “not flowing or running, as water, air, etc… Or of being dormant, stale or foul from standing, as a pool of water.”

 

Signs of Stagnation

 

It is often difficult to tell if one is experiencing stagnation or not. For example, if one sees a church with just 10 members for 10 years, it is very easy to say that that church is experiencing stagnation, compared to a church with 10,000 members for the same period of 10 years. One can easily say the 10-member church is not growing. But, because of the large number involved in this case, it is hard to see that the 10,000-member church is also not growing. There are some signs one has to look out for to determine if one is encountering stagnation or otherwise.

 

1. No Progressive Movement

 

Deuteronomy 1 verses 6 and 7 speak to this effect:

 

When we were at Mount Sinai, the Lord our God said to us, ‘You have stayed at this mountain long enough. It is time to break camp and move on. Deuteronomy 1: 6,7a. New Living Translation

 

The children of Israel stayed too long on Mount Horeb but did not realize it because it was a good place, the presence of God was there, they were by a mountain, the weather probably was better than other parts of the wilderness they were travelling in; and after all it was better than a valley. It is also possible that they were very comfortable with this mountain environment and had forgotten that they were supposed to go forward. The wilderness was just a passage; not a home. You will come out today from every wilderness in your life, in Jesus name. But God needed His people to go forward. God loves it when His children make progressive advancements in their lives. That is why He designed our bodies to face forward. You will go forward in Jesus mighty name.

 

There were blessings waiting for them to take over and many territories to conquer. God’s will for you is for you to go forward in every sphere of your life. Tomorrow is always better than today. There is always a better place, a better situation, a better job or a better level. There is always something better one has to move up to.

 

Overcoming Stagnation and Delay Involves Moving Forward

 

The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. Proverbs 4 vs. 18. New Living Translation

 

It is also possible that the children of Israel could not move forward for a long time because they were tired out from the journey and harsh weather. Maybe they were waiting for the seasons to change or for conditions to become more favorable before the will advance. Whatever may be the reason that kept them there on that mountain, God was tired of it and He needed them to break their comfort zone and move forward.

 

You are experiencing stagnation whenever you are not making any real progress or movement in the right direction. Human beings are designed by God to move forward. Almost everything in you in designed to face forward. The things at the back are those you should not really consider. But if you are not truly going forward in any area of your life, then you are stagnant. And today, by the power of the Most High God, that stagnation will be removed in Jesus name. The Lord is always faithful.

 

2. Lack of Development

 

Life is stunted without development. Growth is often accompanied with development. Also by design, God created us to grow. We are born as a baby, but we do not remain a baby throughout our lives. We grow up. As we grow, we also develop things like habits, behavior, different features in our bodies, etc.. Imagine a boy born, let’s say 19 years ago and that child is still a baby of about 5 kg. This teenager is still a baby, so you can hardly know what to call him. So is the case when we do not experience productive development. However, overcoming stagnation and delay involves aspiring to develop in all areas of life.

 

3. Lack of Advancement

 

Many people suffering from stagnation can identify it simply by checking their rate of advancement in life. Life is in stages. You are supposed to be successful, progressive, fruitful and advancing at different rates at different times. If you are a business man for example and you experience lack of advancement in your business, then you need to deal with stagnation. Stagnation is occasionally subtle. Never compare yourself with those you are better than. It will give you the false notion that all is well for you. The Bible declares in Amos 6 vs. 1:

 

Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!

 

Feeling too comfortable in one’s state ( or situation) is not acceptable by God. Your ugly situation can change drastically when you are fed-up with it. In 1 Samuel 1 verse. 1 – 10,

 

Overcoming Stagnation and Delay in Marriage

 

1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: 2 And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.  …6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb. 9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord. 10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.

Hannah suffered from barrenness (child-bearing stagnation) until she was totally tired of it and prayed her way out of it. You will break out from every form of stagnation in your life, in Jesus’ name.

 

Types of Stagnation

 

There are different types of stagnation. Some notable ones, among others, include: financial, marital and spiritual stagnation.

 

Financial Stagnation

 

This type of stagnation occurs when one is not experiencing considerable increase or growth financially. First, if you are employed, but never promoted after some time, then you are experiencing financial stagnation. Promotion at work should be accompanied with an increase in financial benefits. Second, if you are a business person and your business is not expanding, nor are the desired goals and benefits realized, then you are also experiencing financial stagnation. One of the benefits of overcoming stagnation and delay is financial increase and stability. The power of God will remove whatever may be causing financial stagnation in your life, in Jesus name.

 

Marital Stagnation

 

In the book of Genesis chapter 1 verse 28, God commanded the first married couples to be physically fruitful and give birth to children.

 

 

Marital stagnation occurs when one cannot fulfill God’s command to be fruitful by producing children. The family line of Abraham in the Bible give us clear examples of marital stagnation. Read Genesis 16: 1, 25: 21; 30: 1. But, the good news is that every barren woman in the Bible later gave birth to children. Moreover, if you are having difficulty or prolonged delay getting married, it could be marital stagnation. Keep on praying, if you are experiencing marital stagnation. God will cause you to break through and have your own children or partner, in Jesus mighty name.

 

Spiritual Stagnation

 

You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognise the difference between right and wrong. Hebrews 5 verse 12 – 14 (NLT)

This type of stagnation occurs when a Christian is not growing up spiritually. When a child of God remains in the same spiritual position for a long time, it is spiritual stagnation. If you do not possess the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5: 22-23) nor spiritual gifts (1 Corinthian 11: 1 – 31), after being a Christian for some time, you may be experiencing spiritual stagnation.

Causes of Stagnation

Some of the main causes of stagnation in the life of a Christian, among others, are: procrastination, lack of set objectives, no strong desire for advancement or complacency, demonic curse or covenant or evil decree, self-imposed bounds, covenants or curse, environmental constraints and  lack of knowledge of stagnation. A deeper understanding into the causes of stagnation reveals that: “not every stagnation is caused by a demonic attack.” Some kind of stagnation require prayer and fasting to be broken. But, others can only be stopped or broken by a change in your lifestyle or attitude, or just to have a better understanding of who God is, who you are and what God wants to do in your life.

1. Procrastination

One of the major cause of stagnation is procrastination. When you postpone or delay doing something, it will take longer to do later on. And the delay will definitely lead to stagnation. The first strategy to overcoming stagnation and delay is to begin to do on time anything you have planned for that particular day or time, without delay. And to develop the consciousness of “living each day as if it is your last.” You must be determined to overcome procrastination, or else the stagnation will persist. Jesus Christ emphasized the fact that we must do our God-given work for each day.

“As long as it is day, we must keep doing the work of the One who sent me; the night is coming, when no one can work.” John 9 vs. 4 (CJB).

Solution: Stop procrastinating. Do and finish everything you must do today. Do not wait to do today’s work tomorrow. Pray against anything making you to procrastinate.

2. No Set Objectives

Living a life without defined goals, objectives or aspirations could definitely lead to stagnation. It is often said that when you know where you are going, how to get there will not be difficult. On the other hand, if you do not know where you are going, you will not know how to get there and also will not know when you have arrived. Sometime people feel stuck in one place in life because they do not know their next level. They do not have set objectives or goals they aspire to accomplish. What are your plans for tomorrow, next week, next month, next year or even 10 years time? When you have good plans in place, you will seek out how to get them fulfilled and as such cannot be stagnated. Moreover, some people have defined objectives for their lives but still experience stagnation.

Solution:

.“Therefore I do not run without a definite goal; I do not flail around like one beating the air [just shadow boxing].” 1 Corinthians 9 vs. 26 (AMP)

In order to overcome stagnation and delay caused by not setting up objectives, it is recommended to pray, seek the face of God and have a definite plan for your life. Begin to set goals and work towards realising the goals.

3. No Strong Desire for Advancement

This could also be as a result of complacency, which is the state of being satisfied with one’s condition or situation. Sometimes the reason you are experiencing stagnation may be because you lack a strong desire for advancement in a certain area of your life. People easily become stagnated when things are too comfortable. When everything is going the way you want, everything is working well for you, you need to be careful. Be careful not to become complacent and reluctant to aspire for something better or more challenging. In Amos 6 vs 1a, the Bible declares:

“Woe to you who are at ease in Zion” (NKJV). 

God wants us to move forward in every area of our lives. That is why He designed our bodies to face forward and move forward. Develop a strong desire to move to the next level. Some things will not change until you become fed up with your present state.

Solution:

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3 vs. 13, 14 (KJV)

Become eager for more of what God has for you. Praying in this direction could also help you overcome stagnation and delay caused by not having a strong desire to move forward.

4. Demonic Curse or Covenant

Some people enter into covenant with demons, for several reasons which cannot be covered by this post. Such demonic covenant(s) could be the source of stagnation in their lives. A covenant is an agreement between two parties, sometimes sealed with a sacrifice and can include blessings for obedience and repercussions for disobedience. I am referring to covenants a Christian wilfully enters with demons or demonic persons. This is the danger of being a Christian and still have a spot or room for satan. Moreover, some other Christians suffer from stagnation caused by a demonic curse. Such curses can only be effective, if the Christian continue in sin.

Solution: Repent, seek God’s face with prayer and fasting. Break the covenant; reverse the curse. 

5. Self-imposed bounds or curse

Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me? Jeremiah 32: 27 (KJV).

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29: 11 (NLT)

If you do not know the plans of God Almighty for your life, things could get very dangerous. There is a problem when you limit God by seeing yourself less than He sees you. God loves you. And He gave His life for you. That means that you are of great value in His sight. Some Christians impose bounds and limits for their lives with respect to what God has in mind for them. This, in turn, results in stagnation. 

Solution:

If you know the plan and purpose of God for your life, and work towards their fulfilment, you will discover that you are already overcoming stagnation and delay. Pray against any self imposed curse, limits or bounds. Confess the Word of God. Confess faith.

6. God’s Timing

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. See Proverbs 3: 1- 8. God has a special timing for everything in your life. He knows when what should happen in your life. Sometimes He stops you and keeps you in a particular state, for several reasons. For some people, this is a form of stagnation. But, I do not consider this any kind of stagnation because God is only preparing you for something greater.