As humans, we think of obstacles as dark, menacing areas of our lives to muddle through until it’s over. Boy, are we relieved. The Lord’s view is different. He teaches how to face obstacles with God.
Obstacles are not there for the purpose of creating pain but for growth. It causes us to reach out for someone bigger than ourselves because we can’t do it alone.
We will be talking about these points as we discuss how to face obstacles with God.
- What does God say about overcoming obstacles?
- What are some examples of obstacles in the Bible?
- Why does God put obstacles in our lives?
- How to face obstacles with God.
1. What does God say about overcoming obstacles?
a. You don’t have to fear.
Isaiah 41:13 NIV
"For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you."
b. Our faith in Jesus Christ has already given us the victory.We are conquerors in Christ.
1 John 5:4 NIV
"for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith."
c. None of the obstacles in life can separate us from the love and protection of our God.
Romans 8:35
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?"
2. What are some examples of obstacles in the Bible?
a. Martha
Luke 10:40-42 NIV
"But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me. 'Martha, Martha' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'"
We’ve all been there, so busy preparing for the quests that we forget about the guests! I’ve done that and had to realize, where is the real focus?
Martha wanted to present a great meal for Jesus. He is very important to her and has given her the best gift ever, freedom from her sin and eternal life. We also would want to do the best we could.
Of course, Jesus was more interested in building a relationship with Martha and Mary. Mary’s focus was on knowing Jesus and showing her love for Him.
What was Martha’s obstacle? Worry. The obstacle was not the preparing of the meal but how Martha was perceiving it. Her focus was not on Jesus. If she had given the concern to Him, He would have taken care of her stress.
b. Naomi
Ruth 1:20
"'Don't call me Naomi,' she told them. 'Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter.'"
Naomi, her husband, Elimelech and two sons had left for Moab 10 years before because of the famine in Israel. While they were there, Elimelech died. The two sons married Moabite women and later both of the sons died.
Naomi decided to go back home. She told her daughters-in-law to go back to their families. At first both Orphah and Ruth refused. Later, Orpah conceded and went home. Ruth continued to refuse and left with Naomi.
In Ruth 1:20 we see Naomi returning home. People didn’t recognize her because of the toll her sorrow had taken on her. She no longer wanted to be referred to Naomi(means sweet and pleasant) but to be called Mara(bitter).
Naomi had become depressed and full of sorrow. Well, we would have too. But we, like Naomi had forgotten to trust the Lord for peace of mind.
As the story unfolds in the book of Ruth, Naomi ends up blessed by the help of her daughter-in-law during this time of sorrow. The women of the town tell her how blessed she is to have a daughter-in-law like Ruth. Ruth marries Boaz and they have a son. This gift from the Lord brings great joy back to Naomi.
Huge obstacles fell before Naomi. She was battling sorrow yet she overcome it by trusting God for His help. Even though she was depressed, she allowed the Lord to use Ruth to bring her joy back.
3.Why does God put obstacles in our lives?
James 1:2-4
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
According to Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, “Trials are meaningless, suffering is senseless, and testing is irrational unless there is some good purpose for them. God says there is a reason for them, and it is a good reason. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). When the external pressures of testing are upon us and we are placed in the fires of adversity and tragedy and suffering, the attitude of faith should be that God has permitted it for a purpose and He has a high and lofty goal in view. We can know that God is working something out in our lives.
I must hasten to add that this does not necessarily mean that we will understand what purpose God has in it. This is the test of faith. We walk by faith and not by sight.”
Romans 5:3-5 NIV
"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
The Lord is interested in the big picture. He always does what is best for us and growing in Him is essential. The trials are normal for living as humans so God uses obstacles to help us to build character which comes from perseverence and instills hope.
4.How to face obstacles with God
- Pray–Matthew6:6: “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.“
- Study the Bible= Read it but also study so you can know what it says.-2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
- Stay away from false doctrine– 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
- Memorize scripture– this is a way to carry God’s Word wherever you go. Psalm 119:11 ESV: “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
- Do not follow the world’s way–Romans 12:12 ESV: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Conclusion
We face obstacles often in our life as well as every human. Its not what we desire but God wants to transform us into the image of His Son. That is the purpose we are here for.
It’s not easy to live in this world. That’s why God has made Himself available to us so we have someone stronger than us to handle the situations.
If we think about it, why would anyone want that job? God is perfect and that is one of His attributes, our helper. He wants to be there for us. Try it.
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