I was recently praying about a difficult decision someone I love is facing. There are two obvious choices at hand. Both choices are beautiful, rich, and exciting. In this moment, even such rich choices feel difficult because they involve change, risk, something new, possible loss, and challenges. As a result, it is hard to know which direction to go. In fact, it is agonizing, uncertain, and uncomfortable being in this position. 

All this led me to think about my own experiences of the rock and hard place.

I remember struggling with the mystery of what would happen if I chose between the two options available at the time. In my circumstance, neither option was one I wanted. In fact, I spent what felt like a long time in the liminal space of it – I think hoping that I wouldn’t have to make the hard choice. 

I slowly realized that this rock and hard place did not include the possibility I had worked, hoped, and prayed for. I came to understand that I had done, was doing all that I could do to encourage a change in the conditions of my situation. I sought help, got counseling, continued to seek spiritual guidance, prayed for discernment, and asked others to pray for me too. And I waited for clarity. 

I think the real rock and hard place is the wait for clarity to come. 

Sitting in the mystery, the unknowing and uncertainty of both present and future conditions. It is hard. Perhaps, though, it is a necessary part of being between a rock and a hard place. It is sitting in the in between until the what’s next becomes clear. When both choices hold uncertainty and discomfort, you’ve arrived at the proverbial rock and hard place. 

As I contemplated all this, I began to wonder about that expression “rock and a hard place”. So naturally, I googled it and learned something about my newly adopted state. The expression comes from Bisbee, Arizona, where 1917 copper mining workers approached mining companies hoping for better working conditions and more pay. However, the mining companies declined, leaving the workers with the choice of continuing the underpaid work of copper mining or being without work. 

I wonder what rocks and hard places you may be experiencing in this moment. Do you find yourself facing a choice between two difficult things? 

Are you uncertain about which direction to go in the present moment? 

Working with a life transition coach can provide a listening ear, support, encouragement, and the necessary space for hearing your own rising clarity. It can be hard to discern next steps and working with a coach can give you room to be present to honoring the questions while seeking the next right step. If you are coaching curious or simply needing a way to explore the questions of the moment, I invite you to sign up for the 45-minute Live the Questions offering. 

This is an effective way to learn about the co-collaborative process of coaching as well as gaining insight about your own needs and how coaching might support them.