overcoming obstacles

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible’.” (Matthew 19:26)

God is bigger than your doctor’s report, the obstacles that seem insurmountable, the news that seems devastating, the fears that try to strangle you, the discouragement that ravages your soul, and the depression that weighs you down…GOD IS BIGGER!

I was reminded of this the other day when I was discouraged about a report I received from my doctor. After the appointment, I came home feeling the weight and the frustration that accompanied the news. Instead of casting my care on the LORD, I found myself doing the natural human reaction, and focusing on my fears, instead of trusting by faith.

Then, my husband gave me a perspective shift by saying three powerful words in response to my fears: “God is bigger.” Amen! With those words, faith and hope began to rise up on the inside of me overpowering my current circumstances. Many times, that is exactly what we need in life: “a perspective shift”. I wonder if some of you reading this may also need a “perspective shift”, too?

Have you been focusing on your problems or giants more than the size of God? Whatever we choose to concentrate on will control our thoughts and our emotions. Humanly speaking, focusing on the fears, anxiety, and circumstances is very easy to do. However, when the flesh tries to war against the spirit of God living on the inside of us, we can choose to turn to the ONE who helps us overcome.

These four R’s help us refocus our perspective even when life may throw us a “curve ball”:

1. Read Scriptures pertaining to God’s greatness. And, when a Scripture encourages you, write it down. One example in the Bible that speaks of the power of God is found in Isaiah 40:12: “Who else has held the oceans in His hand? Who has measured the heavens with His fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountains on the scale?”
2. Reflect on God’s creation. Hebrews 4:13a says, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.” Going outside at night and looking up at the sky is a powerful reminder of the majesty of God. The fact that God knows each star by name should give us a glimpse of His greatness and make our problems seem smaller in comparison. Isaiah 40:26 states, “Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” In Scripture, God called Abraham to walk outside of his tent and look up at the stars so that Abraham would have a “perspective shift”. He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars–if indeed you can count them. Then, He said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’” (Genesis 15:5)
3. Remember His faithfulness in your life, so that you can walk with boldness into your future. Isaiah 46:9-10a says, “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.” Just as God has been faithful in the past, He will be faithful in your future. This truth should bring peace to your heart as you rely on His perfect Sovereignty.
4. Rejoice and worship the LORD. Cares diminish as praises rise. The atmosphere shifts when worship enters the picture. The burdens you carry can be lifted from your shoulders, as the focus shifts from problems to praise. It is amazing how freeing it feels to release all of the weight you have been carrying to the ONE who can take care of everything.

When we practice the four R’s in our lives, we are able to let go of the burdens, the discouragement, and the anxiety, and turn our attention, instead, to the power of God. I hope and pray, that just like in my situation when I had a “perspective shift”, your heart feels a million times lighter, as you are reading this. Our Heavenly Father is so much bigger than anything that seeks to overwhelm us. As we look to Him, He is able to handle what we cannot.

“Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God.’ Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31)

Let’s soar by His Spirit into the future He has planned for us by: Reading, Reflecting, Remembering, and Rejoicing in God’s greatness and His goodness. He is so much bigger than we can even imagine!

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)