Overcome obstaclesBy Lenora McWhorter
Obstacles can be anything that stands in our way of reaching our goals, having success, or being what God want us to be. Great faith endures great trials. Each day comes with it’s share of struggles and difficulties and every small victory becomes seed to grow our faith. Whether we are touched by sickness, death, divorce, or unemployment we need grace to endure. But during trying times we learn who we really are and more importantly, we learn about God‘s faithfulness.
10 WAYS TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES IN 2018
1. TAKE INVENTORY OF YOUR LIFE:
Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hand be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7. In the quiet moments before the Lord, go before Him and ask Him to help us see our faults and failures. Your response could lead to growth that will help you overcome obstacles or defeat. “Many of the problems the Apostle Paul faced was not because he had done something wrong. He made enemies because he had made a strong commitment to Christ and His kingdom. What position have you taken against the forces of evil recently?
2. SURRENDER YOURSELF COMPLETELY TO GOD:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.” Proverbs 3: 5-5.Give up your dreams, goals, motives, desires and seek God’s direction for your life. Give Him your old habits, attitudes, hangs-ups and ask God to show you His plan and purpose for your life. When we surrender to God and His ways, He smooth our paths and cause us to be victorious.
3. BUILD YOUR FAITH WITH SCRIPTURE:
Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and seek Him with their whole heart, Psalms 119:2. Faith muscles are strengthened when they are used. During difficult times our faith is sometimes tested repeatedly until it is matured. We all fall short of having perfect faith but the Word of God reminds us of God’s faithfulness to us and encourages us to hold on. Obstacles provide the soil for our faith to grow and faith is at its best when we are in the middle of trials.
4. SPEAK POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS:
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21. Speaks words of encouragement to your self based on the Scripture. Tell yourself that you are strong in the Lord and in the power of His might according to Ephesians 6:10. Admit the load is to heavy for you but you can do all thing through Christ’s strength. Confess your weaknesses and thank God for His strength by saying, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” When you experience disappointment or feel threatened , know that God’s grace is always available and thank Him in advance for it. Remind yourself that ”Christ in you is greater than anything the enemy can bring against you. Speak victory over your current situation with thanksgiving.
5. KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON GOD:
“He gives power to the faint and those who have no might He increases strength, Isaiah 41:29. Change your focus from the obstacles to the bigness of your God, and yoke up with Him. Do not be worried or anxious, but be courageous knowing that you are not alone. Problems tends to increase when we allow them to consume our thoughts, but they take flight when we lay them up against God‘s power. Do not be sidetracked by the scope of the problem, think victory, speak victory and act victorious. Know that God may not shield you from suffering but His unseen hand is always there upholding you, leading and guiding you!
6. LIVE SIMPLE LIVES:
“Better is a little (Simple Life) in the fear of God, than great treasure and trouble therewith.“ Proverbs 15:16. Our highest ambition should be to become more like Christ, He is our model in all things big and small. Christ’s goal for us is to be a vessel He can use for His kingdom. When that happens we can avoid some of the distractions and obstacles the enemy uses to hinder us. God wants our full attention and if we allow Him to direct our paths we will overcome the attacks of the evil one.
7. SPEAK VICTORY OVER YOURSELF:
“I believe therefore I have spoken, we also believe and therefore speak.” 2 Corinthians 4:13. Agree with what Christ says about you in His word. Because Christ says, He has come that you may have abundant life” you can agree and say, “Life is good, and Christ is working on my behalf and all His work toward me are good works. I am an overcomer through Christ, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Christ have defeated the work of the enemy on my behalf.” You may also quote healing Scripture that states what Christ has done. We can always appropriate what the Scripture says to our personal lives.
8. BE DILIGENT IN PRAYER:
“Men ought always to pray and not lose heart” Luke 18b. For those obstacles that render us helpless and overwhelms us we can know that battles are won on our knees. Many things come against us that is out of our control and we have no answer, but we need not panic. God is the God of comfort and patience. He does not leave us to fight life‘s battles alone. God uses our obstacles to teach us to lean on Him and when we trust Him we get to see Him display power on our behalf.
9. REFUSE TO GIVE UP:
“This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:4b. When obstacles block our path we do not lose heart or grow weary but we stand firm and trust God as you have never trusted Him before. Never hit the panic button. God understands our complexities and He will never allow us to be overcome by our trials. Fighting life’s battles on our knees assures us of victory every time
10. WALK IN LOVE:
Biblical love is more than the feely kind of love it is based on a choice we make. The Apostle Paul, uses the word, “Agape” to describe Christian love. It is based on the deliberate choice of the one who loves rather than the worthiness of the one who is loved. Love is not selfish or self-serving, it endures all things and is not over-sensitive. Walking in love helps us maintain a quiet spirit and keep us in the center of God’s will. When love is displayed we place ourselves in a position to receive God’s divine favor.
Lenora McWhorter is retired from early childhood education. She spends time in community services and church work. Teaches Bible study and conducts a Community prayer group, writes Sunday School Quarterlies for a Christian publisher and poetry as a hobby.
