What If Your Stuckness Is a Holy Invitation?

Listening to Frustration as a Call to Shift

What if frustration in your work life isn’t a problem to fix—but a holy invitation to pause and listen?

Sometimes, the emotions we avoid are the very ones God uses to guide us.

Arthur Brooks puts it this way:
“Emotions are signals to your conscious brain that something is going on that requires your attention and action—that’s all they are.”

My Own Moment of Frustration

A few years ago, I was sitting on a park bench, reading Emily P. Freeman’s How to Walk into a Room while my daughter played nearby.

She wrote: “This business I’m co-running is good work—but it isn’t my best work.”

That line stayed with me. It named something I hadn’t dared say aloud: my work was good—but I needed something more. Something different.

Emily describes life as a house with different “rooms”—marriage, parenting, work, faith, friendship. At that time, I was standing on the threshold of my work room, tentatively stepping into the hallway, unsure what was next.

It felt scary. But it also sparked a journey toward clarity.

What Is Your Frustration Telling You?

If you’re feeling stuck or frustrated in your work life, don’t ignore it.

Here are some possibilities your emotions may be pointing to:

• You’ve outgrown your current role
• The work no longer fits your season
• A new gift or calling is ready to emerge
• This job is “good,” but it’s not your best
• You’re longing for more alignment, more meaning
• You’re bored, burnt out, or just clocking in

A Wise Word from Scripture

Priscilla Shirer, reflecting on Elijah’s life, writes:
“Comfort and steadiness is what we crave, but overstaying our welcome in one place can rob us of the work God intends to do in us at the next one.”

Your emotion is not the enemy. It’s a signal.
And until you pay attention, it will likely keep showing up.

So what can you do when you’re feeling stuck in your work life?

• Pause.
• Slow down.
• Listen.

What is the next right thing your true self is longing for?

Start there. See what happens.

Feeling stirred by this?

I’d love to hear what resonated with you. Leave a comment or share this post with a friend who’s navigating a shift.

If you’re in a season of stuckness and craving clarity in your work life, this is the kind of work I love to walk people through.

I offer faith-based vocation coaching to help you uncover what’s next with honesty, strategy, and hope.

Click here to learn more or reach out for a free discovery call.