Unexpected Obstacles

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:3-5

Do you remember the days when you and your friends had an old-fashioned pillow fight? The kind where everyone was slinging at each other around the bedroom, and you were trying to be sneaky by having allies on your side. These provided a great amount of simple fun for every body until that one person got hurt and the fun and games had to stop. I can remember bracing for those moments when you were toe to toe with the opponent. If you were ready, the jolt from the pillow in the pillow case wasn’t that bad, because your feet were firmly planted. However, do you remember those blows that took you off guard and left you out of breath and stunned. Those got your attention and woke you up to reality. There is a real enemy out to get you.

Have you found yourself lately in a place where you are facing unexpected obstacles? Things that you didn’t know was coming. The best place to be when trials come is prepared through a daily discipline of prayer, accountability and in God’s Word. The Apostle Paul told the Ephesians to “take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:17-18). Paul instructed us to put on the whole armor of God, to realize that there was a real enemy (not of flesh and blood) to fight, and to be on the offensive with the Word of God and prayer. His advice was to be ready for what is coming. “Yes, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).

We must also know that not one sparrow falls to the ground without our heavenly Father knowing about it (Matthew 10:29). Have you seen how many birds are flying around lately? This should give us great confidence that God has a perfect plan for everything that comes into our life. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). There are unnecessary troubles and trials that we can bring on ourselves that are our own fault. If we over spend our budgets, we are doomed for financial crisis. If we do not use words correctly when speaking to others, we can hurt feelings and destroy friendships in the process. We must take responsibility for our own actions and pay the consequences when we make the wrong choices. However, if your trial is simply out of your hands, know that God is so close and has His hand like the potter’s molding and shaping the heart of the vessel for His glory.

The diamonds of the world are not found on the surface of the ground, but in the deep places of the earth, where time and pressure have been applied. Our LORD doesn’t want you to be common, unattractive spiritually or drowned by the culture, but He has a desire to mold you into the image of Jesus Christ. Trials tend to have different affects. Sometimes, they make you stronger, because you are ready for them. At other times, they can reveal to you and me the weak spots of our lives that need to be guarded carefully. We must never let our guard down, but “be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Our obstacles are not unexpected if we are able to see the One who sees it all. We are no longer dealing with pillow cases and slumber parties but real life where lives are at stake each day. “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might” (Ephesians 6:10).