Overcoming Obstacles with God
Developing faith happens when we begin overcoming obstacles with God by keeping our eyes focused on God and not on our obstacles. Once we take our eyes off of Jesus, we begin to look at the obstacles with the mindset that “life is too hard.”
Lately, I keep hearing people say the same phrase over and over again. “It’s too hard.” Many people believe that what they are being required or asked to do is “too hard.” When life gets hard, we tend to believe that we are too weak to handle the curve balls that come our way, and then negativity sets into our thoughts and words.
I have heard the following very recently:
“It’s too hard to go to church on Sunday mornings.”
“It’s too hard to work and find time for myself.”
“Virtual meetings are too hard.”
“Grocery shopping is too hard.”
“Everything is too hard.”
“Change is too hard.”
“It’s too hard” seems to be the theme of this season of many people’s lives.
In Deuteronomy 30: 11-20, Moses tells the Israelites that God has set before them a covenant to choose life or death. He begins his speech with verse 11.
“Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.” ~ Deuteronomy 30:11 NIV
Deuteronomy 30:20 NIV follows up with the choice for life, “…that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life…”
Overcoming obstacles with God is not too difficult or beyond reach, especially when we love the Lord, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him in faith.
Faith Overcoming Obstacles
I remember reading the book Weak Thing In Moni Land: The Story of Bill and Gracie Cutts by William A. Cutts. In this biography, Bill and Gracie Cutts were missionaries to Indonesia, where their mission was difficult. In fact, their mission was hard and the obstacles were overwhelming.
Not only did this couple go to a faraway land, but Bill also had congenital deformities, making the mission especially difficult. I could not imagine going to a land without Walmart or a bathroom, but this couple did.
They could have said that the mission was too hard, but they did not make an excuse. They went to the difficult mission field, and they brought God with them. In their stories, we learn that they lived life in faith overcoming obstacles with God.
What God says about overcoming obstacles?
When we look at the Bible story of Deborah and Barak, son of Abinoam, we see what happens when one believes that something is too hard. We also find what God says about overcoming obstacles.
Judges 4: 6 NIV says that Deborah said to Barak, “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor…”
In verse 8, Barak replies to Deborah, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”
Why does Barak state this to Deborah? Barak thinks his mission is just too hard and only Deborah can overcome the obstacles. As a result, God gave the honor of victory into the hands of a woman.
You may be wondering, “What do I do, call my obstacle easy?” The answer: no.
Just because complaining or giving up is not an option, it does not make things easier. After all, the Christian life is impossible… WITHOUT JESUS.
Without Jesus in your heart, you will never have peace. Without Jesus in your heart, you will never enjoy this life. Without Jesus in your heart, you will never be content in any situation.
With Jesus in your heart, you can face everything that is too hard and live your life overcoming obstacles with God. Read more encouraging Bible verses about faith in hard times to help your faith grow.
Now you may think, “But I already have Christ in my heart. What do I do?” In this world, we still fall into our sinful nature. However, we have peace, knowing God will never leave us in our sins. We can enjoy this life because we know God has given it meaning and hope.
We can trust God to overcome obstacles through faith.
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” ~ Hebrews 11:1 NIV
“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” ~ Hebrews 12:2 NIV
“For we live by faith, not by sight.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV
Overcoming obstacles with God only happens through faith in Jesus Christ. Faith is being certain and confident that God’s Will and His Word will come true, and that these are best for us. Sometimes this means facing situations and obstacles when we trust Jesus to help us do hard things.
We can do hard things in contentment because Jesus is enough.
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” ~ Philippians 4:11-13 NIV
Remember that Jesus is enough! He is enough to help us when life gets hard and when we face challenges. Only Jesus Christ will satisfy all our needs and desires. In fact, when life gets hard, invite Jesus to walk with you. Seek him with your heart, listen to him, and hold fast to God. Then you will live in faith overcoming obstacles with God.
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 NIV