Overcoming obstacles of life can be a time of testing. Perhaps as you read this, there is a significant obstruction in your life that you are trying to overcome. Obstacles in life are not all harmful. Sometimes roadblocks are God’s way of moving us in a different direction. Other times the Lord uses difficulties to get our attention. Every hindrance is different, and God uses them in various ways to accomplish His plan for our lives.
In our story, four friends of a paralytic were bringing him to Jesus only to find out the house was too crowded for them to enter. The text does not say if they asked God what to do next, but it says they did something unexpected. Mark 2:4 They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” [1]
Obstacles Help us to Rely on God
Have you ever tried to do life on your own only to find out the hard way you need God? I remember coming to the end of myself and not knowing the best way to move forward. I had sensed from the Holy Spirit for months what to do, but I did not want to listen. In the meantime, the difficulty remained until it became overwhelming. By this time, I was ready to listen and make the changes the Lord had put on my heart.
What did I learn from this? God was patiently waiting as I was becoming more frustrated. The Lord did not give up and continued to remind me what He wanted me to do. Psalm 145:8The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. [2]
Obstacles Can Move Us in a Different Direction
Sometimes, God uses obstacles to move us in a different direction so we can fulfill the plans He has for us. Sometimes this can be a difficult time in life because we don’t know where God is leading us. 2 Corinthians 5:7For we live by faith, not by sight.[3]
Is the Lord stretching you as He calls you to walk by faith? This can be a significant step for anyone and a unique time in your life of growing in faith. This does not mean it will be easy, but God will bless you.
Obstacles Refine Us
God’s refinement process is often one where the Lord uses difficulties in our life to take off some rough edges. Pride and self-sufficiency are often barriers to growing in faith. When we hit the wall of life, pride and self-sufficiency often fade away. If you are experiencing this now, know the Lord is with you and loves you.
1 Peter 1:7These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. [4]
To hear about overcoming obstacles of life, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/mark-forgiveness-over-healing
[1,2,4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] The New International Version. (2011). (2 Co 5:7). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.