Stuck in the Middle | Dashawn Robinson | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Stuck in the Middle

Dashawn Robinson

Change Church • Jul 22, 2026 • 44 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

Being stuck in "the middle"—a place between past trauma you cannot revisit and an uncertain future you do not yet trust—can feel uncomfortable and isolating, but it is often where God performs His greatest work of restoration. Examining Jesus healing the man with a withered hand in Luke 6, Pastor Dashawn Robinson shows how God uses our middle seasons to restore strength, dignity, livelihood, and community connection. Believers are encouraged to focus on what is still working, stand firm in faith, and allow God to turn their middle season into a testimony of His power and grace.

Themes

Spiritual RestorationOvercoming OppositionFaith in Uncomfortable SeasonsGod's SovereigntyPurpose in TrialsCommunity and Generosity

Pastor's Points

1.

Strength

2.

Livelihood

3.

Dignity

4.

Capacity to bless

5.

Rightful place in the community

Key Points

1.
God is the author and finisher of our faith, which means He always has the final say over every diagnosis, setback, trauma, or circumstance in our lives.
2.
God's name is a strong tower of refuge where believers can run and find physical, mental, and emotional safety and peace (Proverbs 18:10).
3.
Living in "the middle"—trapped between past trauma you cannot revisit and an unknown future you do not yet trust—creates discomfort, but God often performs His best work in that exact space.
4.
Hostility and scrutiny from others when you are doing good is often evidence that your life is bearing spiritual fruit and your obedience is agitating the enemy (Luke 6:7).
5.
Experiencing a dry or withered season in life does not mean you are wicked or spiritually deficient; gradual micro-traumas and unexpected life circumstances can cause unseen damage over time (Mark 3:1).

Sermon Moments

“God has the final say over the diagnosis, the test results, the email, the argument, and the trauma because He is the author and finisher of our faith.”

“Living in the middle means being caught between a past you cannot revisit because of trauma and an unknown future you do not yet trust.”

“When people are actively watching and waiting for you to fail while you are trying to do good, it is proof that your life is bearing fruit and agitating the enemy.”

“Just because something in your life withered or dried up doesn't mean you are wicked; life's micro-traumas can cause gradual damage over time.”

“The dryness that everyone sees downstream in public is merely a symptom of a blockage that happened upstream in private.”

“We often focus so much on the miracle of the hand that we overlook the miracle of the stand—focusing on what's withered instead of utilizing what's working.”

“When Jesus calls you into the middle, He reconstructs five things: your strength, your livelihood, your dignity, your capacity to bless, and your access to community.”

This Week

Stop focusing exclusively on what is missing or broken in your life, and intentionally thank God for what is still functioning today.

Take time this week to run into God's presence through prayer and quiet worship, surrendering any lingering emotional, mental, or physical fatigue.

Refuse to let baseless opposition or critics stop you from fulfilling your God-given assignment, recognizing that hostility often proves your fruitfulness.

Identify an area of private trauma or dryness in your soul and ask the Holy Spirit to restore the flow of His presence and truth upstream in your heart.

Choose to "stand up" in faith by taking action in areas where you feel stuck, trusting God to heal what is withered as you obey His word.

Use a past private miracle or prayer answer to publicly encourage someone else who is currently struggling in their faith.

Re-engage with your church community through small groups or serving opportunities to step out of isolation and rebuild meaningful connections.

Remember This

God uses the discomfort of your middle season—the space between past trauma and an unknown future—to restore what was withered, rebuild your purpose, and display His glory to everyone watching.

A Challenge for You

I dare somebody to step out of the shadows, come out of the back, refuse to hide, and find holy contentment right in the middle of what you're in. Before you pray another prayer of "God, get me out of this," I dare you to just make a bold prayer: "Lord, what are you teaching somebody through my witness? Lord, what are you showing about your glory?" Let God know, "Lord, you can use me right in the middle."

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.