Have you faced obstacles and maybe questioned their purpose? Have you wondered whether God has maybe forgotten you? Maybe you had no idea how you would get passed it and wasted too much time focusing on your obstacles and forgetting the God you serve.
We all have. Obstacles are a part of life. It should not be our focus point, but it is also not necessarily something to take us off track.
Our obstacles are not always there to stop us, but to guide us. Many times the answer for our next step lies in the obstacles we face.
The Bible does not say that we will never face any hard times as we will (John 16:33). Even Jesus did. He faced more opposition than what anyone ever did or ever could, but He never took His eyes off God’s purpose for Him. He was sent to die for His loved ones and nothing could stop Him. He faced so many opportunities to have things easier if He would only submit to the rulers of that day, but He did not as He serve only One and that was His Father, our Daddy God.
Maybe you have been frustrated by something and not realising that the frustration is where God wants to use you. You see people falling for a lie of the enemy and God uses your frustration to create a passion in you to bring truth.
You have a heart to see people healed but you do not have the qualifications or the right connections to reach those in need? God will use your willing heart and use you to pray for those in need. He may not use you in the way and place you thought He would, but He will still bring you into the place He destined for you.
Maybe you had this idea for your life in a certain job and doing a specific thing, only to find every door closing and absolute no joy in what you are doing in your so-called dream job. You may not have all the answers but all you know is that what you thought were the perfect plans for your life may not be so perfect after all. God can cause doors to close on you so that He can get you to turn in the right direction towards the right doors He is planning to open for you.
Do not let the obstacles drain you of all your energy. Do not be discourage, because even though God may not always be the author behind your obstacles, He can use and every one of them to bring you into the right place and at the right time so that His purpose can work through your life.
Jesus is with you in everything. He is your wisdom. He is your strength. Even when nothing makes sense, you have access to Him who understands everything. Let not your heart be troubled or overcome with fear because of the size of your obstacles (1 John 4:4).
Seek Jesus who has already overcome every possible obstacle you may ever face and let Him show you the way through so that you can use your obstacle as a stepping stone to move closer into God’s will for you.
Maretha Retief