Overcoming Obstacles

Overcoming Obstacles


Obstacle: something immaterial that stands in the way, impedes, holds up progress. They create complication and conflict. They are barriers. And, we all face them. E. Joseph Crossman said, “Obstacles are things a person sees who take his eyes off the goal.” Frank Clark said, “If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably does not lead anywhere.”

Having anything of value in your life will be fraught with obstacles. In fact, obstacles are necessary for success as victory is achieved after many struggles and countless defeats. There will always be a reason why you cannot achieve it. There will always be a barrier as to why it cannot be obtained or be done. A new recruit looking at the daunting gauntlet of the obstacle course before him, feels “there ain’t no way I can do that.” But, before basic training is completed the obstacle course will be beaten! In life you will face obstacles. That is a given. What remains to be seen is, will you succumb to or overcome the obstacles?

So, why do people choose to be held down by obstacles rather than overcome them? Why do they choose to be bound to something they detest? Why will remain where they are so close to what they want to have and be?

1. Failure to take responsibility—In John 5 is the story of a man who had been laying near a pool of water that was believed to hold healing properties. An angel was said to come down at certain times and stir up the waters. Whoever would step into the water at that moment would be healed. This man had lain beside that pool for 38 years! He blamed his continued condition on there not being anyone there to help him. Your success depends on YOU! It is solely your responsibility. Jesus did not ask him “do you have anyone to help you?” He said, “Do you want to get well?”

• Accept responsibility for where you are. Accept your role in the way things are (whether you contributed to it or not)—end “the blame game and woe is me game”. Nothing you can do to change the past. But you can change your future!

• Accept responsibility that happiness is a choice—end the “who will make me happy game” Happiness is not contingent upon externals, it is determined by what is inside of you. Paul said; “I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” Philippians 4 Message Bible

• Accept responsibility for your thoughts, feelings and actions and end the “I can’t do anything right” game. If you can change the way you think, you can change the way you feel. If you can change the way you think you can change the way you act. If you can change the way you think you can change your life.
2. Failure to Believe—Faith is essential for anything to change. You must have faith for a better future. You must have faith for a brighter tomorrow. You must have faith that things will get better!

• Truth is not enough—if truth was enough, then why are you where you are?

• Anointing is not enough—if anointing was enough, then why are you where you are?

• You must have faith that your life will turn around!

• Your perspective will determine your reality. Your perspective will determine whether you overcome or succumb. Feed your faith!!

3. Failure to Act—when instructed the man to pick up his bed roll and walk, the man had two choices: stay where he was on obey. This is perhaps, the strongest reason why people stay where they are. They fail to act. You will miss 100% of the shots you fail to make.

• Faith without corresponding actions is useless! Are you willing to be shown [proof], you foolish (unproductive, spiritually deficient) fellow, that faith apart from [good] works is inactive and ineffective and worthless? James 2:20 Amplified

• The journey of one thousand miles begins with a single step. Get up and start moving! The longer you fail to act, the more you cement yourself to where you are

We are only as hindered by obstacles as we allow ourselves to be. There are countless stories of how people have overcome insurmountable odds and achieved success. And, if they can do it so can you and me! So, take responsibility for where you are, believe that you were born to succeed and get up and moving!! You will find that there is a miracle inside of you!