Overcoming Obstacles

By Joy Adams

Often when God gives us a vision or a promise we want to take hold of it immediately.  However, rarely does this actually happen. With almost every promise, there will be a time of testing or obstacles.

Often when testing comes we begin to:

• Doubt that we heard God
• Feel that God has abandoned us
• Question the methods

One of my favorite people from the Bible is Joseph. Joseph was a man of integrity. His identification as a child of God was not altered by his circumstances. He remained faithful in and out of hardships.

You can read the history of Joseph in Genesis chapter 37-50.

Joseph was given two dreams by God as a youth.  Both dreams gave Joseph a vision of having authority over his family (Genesis 37).  Soon after Joseph had these dreams, and shared them with his family:

• He was sold into slavery by his brothers
• His slave owner’s wife attempt to seduce him
• He was lied about
• He was thrown into jail
• He was forgotten

In all of this, the Bible says repeatedly says that the Lord was with Joseph (Genesis 39:3, 21, 23). Despite the fact that Joseph had every reason to feel sorry for himself, he did not allow his circumstances to define him or his view of God.

Joseph experienced many hardships or obstacles:

• Rejection
• Slavery 
• Slander 
• False imprisonment

…These are the very things that led Joseph to realizing his dream.

It was these hardships that positioned Joseph to rule over not only his family but all of Egypt.  Too often we mistake our obstacles as barriers to our dreams.  When in reality it is often these obstacles, that are meant to catapult us into our dreams. 

Understanding your Season

In the books of Exodus through Joshua, God teaches us a lot about seasons in life.

When the Israelites were in the wilderness or desert, God provided for them.  Daily their meat and grain were literally brought to their doorstep. Quail and manna for food and their clothes and shoes did not wear out. There was a grace in their wilderness season.  Grace meaning – unmerited or undeserved favor.  

When they entered the Promised Land…

• The free food stopped
• Their clothes began to wear out
• They had to battle for every new territory they stepped into

When we think of our Promised Land, we only imagine the good. “The land flowing with milk and honey.” We envision this land of abundance and become jaded when we are suddenly surrounded by lack. Imagine how the Israelites felt…they had finally made it to the Promised Land.  The land known to be “flowing with milk and honey,” and now…suddenly they have to work for food.  Suddenly they have to repair and replace all their shoes and clothes, and now they have to fight for every new territory they enter. There is a reason that in the book of Joshua, God tells Joshua over and over to “Be strong and courageous.” The Promised Land is not for the weak of heart.  Nor is the Promised Land for the faint.

At various times in life, we all get stuck.  We all get to a place where our obstacles seem too big and we seem too small.  For these times, here are three ways, we can overcome:
 

1. We Overcome Obstacles with Our Attitudes:

In some seasons of life, everything may seem out of our control.  In these times, there is one thing that we do have within our control–our attitude. 

“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.  If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

James 1:2-5

2. We Overcome Obstacles with Our Revelation of Who God is:

In the Bible when Job learned that all of his businesses were destroyed and all of his children killed, he did not allow his circumstances to diminish his view of God

“At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

    and naked I will depart.

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;

    may the name of the Lord be praised.”

In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.”

Job 1:20-22

3. We Overcome Obstacles by Recognizing Our Season

The wilderness is full of God’s grace, even when we don’t deserve it. Get rest during this season.  Accept the nourishment that God brings you during this season, even though at times it can be very humbling. The reality is, you need it.  Just think of how humbling it was for Elijah to be fed by ravens (1 Kings 17:2-16).  Accept generosity in this season, but, be careful not to get too comfortable in your wilderness.  Our desire for comfort can become our obstacle in the wilderness.  

The Promised Land is full of battles and work.  Don’t allow your weariness to cause you to forget that you are living your dream. Remember, the battle belongs to the Lord.  Keep a grateful heart and sing praises of thanksgiving.  In the Promised land, the work is great, but so is the reward.  Be generous during this season.

No matter what season you are in,  obstacles are hard.  In these hard times, extend grace to yourself and others, find joy in the moment, wrap yourself in His love and  watch God use these obstacles to launch you into your next season. 

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Photo Credit:

• Climber on Cliff Photo by Tommy Lisbin on Unsplash
• Rock Climber Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash

* This post has been adapted from a message given to the Rooted Young Adults/Young Families group at Luz De Valle church in Hayward, California, August, 2020.  Thank you to Luz De Valle church for allowing me the opportunity to practice and grow in my calling as a teacher of the Word of God.