How to overcome obstacles in your life

How to overcome obstacles in your life (Photo: iStock) Have you ever been so stuck in life such that you cannot move, and the more you try the more you sink deeper? Many movies have a storyline of someone being stuck somewhere. One can be stuck in the middle of the ocean or desert or mountain or in a hostage situation. There are three categories of getting stuck in life; the daily routine, temporary and permanent. All of us get stuck in life in one of these categories. People get stuck in between phases of life or in relationships, for others, it is stuck in dreams or plans or careers. I focus on the kind of being stuck that you know that unless God intervenes miraculously, you will remain there for the rest of your life. It could be a health issue or death of a loved one or divorce. The Psalmist says that he waited patiently for the Lord and he inclined to him and heard his cry. He also brought him out of a horrible pit and miry clay. And he set his feet upon a rock and established his steps. Apostle Paul was stuck in prison for many years. He was called to ministry and had great plans of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. And here he was stuck, derailed and slowed down. What do you do when you get stuck? First, put your confidence in God. The plans of the Lord stand firm forever and the purposes of his heart through all generations. No matter how hard your circumstances are, God's plans for you cannot be held at ransom by them. Many great people of faith got stuck at some point in life but they came out of it. Moses was stuck in the desert for 40 years but God's plan for the Israelites to take them to a land flowing with milk and honey still came to pass. Daniel was in exile in Babylon for most of his life but still excelled in all that he did. Joseph was in prison for 13 years after being falsely accused and later was made overseer in the king's palace. Deborah waited for years to see the deliverance of her people. Hannah waited for years for a child before bearing Samuel who became a great prophet. Elizabeth struggled with bareness and finally bore a great man - John the Baptist. Second, do not blame God, yourself or people for being stuck. Do not wallow in the miasma of self-pity and regret. Paul could have kept saying to himself 'if only' - he had been warned not to go to Jerusalem because he would be arrested. Jesus corrected his disciples who were looking for someone to blame when they asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, the man or his parents that he was born blind?" He replied, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him." Do not focus so much on what you or others did or did not do and fail to see what God can do. Third, choose to serve others. When you serve others, your focus shifts from how bad the situation is which makes a whole difference. Paul continued having bible study sessions in prison with his friends. He encouraged them to be alert servants of the master, cheerfully expectant and not to quit during hard times. The Roman guards started joining them and eventually became Christians. Fourth is to use the time when you are stuck wisely. Let God teach you how to make the most of your time so that you may grow. While in prison, Paul wrote letters to churches and friends which became a large part of the New Testament. Fifth, surround yourself with God's people. Paul and other believers were going through many trials, conflicts and fears in Macedonia. But God who comforts the downcast comforted them with the arrival of Titus. We are designed to need and depend on each other in life. Do not face it alone! Long to be with other believers so that you may be encouraged and imparted with spiritual gifts so that you may be established in the faith. Sixth, believe that God is working in your life. God is working even when you do not feel it or you are stuck. He uses detours and dead-ends to make new beginnings. An example is Jonah who had to be stuck in the belly of a fish before agreeing to go and preach to the people of Nineveh. Take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.

How to overcome obstacles in your life

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