Embracing the Obstacle

Embracing the Obstacle

I wanted to share a lesson with you God taught me a while back (again). I'm so thankful He is the Master Teacher!

What is the greatest hurdle you face today? What is the one obstacle that you feel, if removed, would make life so much better for you?

I heard Joni Eareckson Tada speak a while back ( she was paralyzed in a ski accident years ago and is an awesome speaker) and she said,"I am so excited for heaven and new body with legs that work! The first thing I'll do when I'm at the feet of Jesus is take this damn wheelchair that I sit in and throw it as far as I can. The next thing I'll do is look into the eyes of Jesus and say thank you for the wheelchair, cause it's the device God used to bring me closer to Him".

I visited with Becca last year, who went through Doulos in 2008. She injured her ankle that year and was on crutches most of the time with surgeries, etc..It's pretty well healed now. I said to her,"sorry for the ankle problem last year". She said,"you know Joey, actually I'm glad for the ankle problem last year. It kept me humble and dependent on the Lord".

I'm wondering about my greatest obstacle. Maybe I need that obstacle. Maybe my prayer shouldn't be "take this away Lord", but "teach me through it". Maybe my attitude should be one of acceptance and not of bitterness. Maybe I need to allow the Lord to use it to soften my heart and not make it harder. Maybe I'm just selfish and want life to be easy, not significant.

Paul said in 2 Cor. 12," Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong".

Lord, be my strength. Help me to be "well content". I need you.

Have a great day (with the obstacle).©