Faith and Obstacle Thoughts

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV)

In last weeks blog, Faith and Obstacles, we saw how three women did not let the perceived obstacle, the stone which blocked Jesus’ tomb, stand in their way. Every time we face an obstacle, we must face it with strength and courage, but usually it is the very time we are feeling anything but strong and courageous! I usually want to find another way out! Fear and dread (which usually includes insecurity) raise their ugly heads, but they too are obstacles that can and must be overcome.

I feel God has been prompting me to put these writings into book form. At first, I tried to ignore it. But then, my children and others began urging me to not only consider it, but actually move towards it. But I had to overcome my first obstacle. My mind and its perception of my abilities. How about you? Is the first obstacle you must face also the perception of your own abilities? Or do you remember God and His abilities?

In Deuteronomy chapter 31, we find Moses giving his last instructions to the people of Israel. He was giving them his most precious advice, knowing that they would be entering the Promised Land without him. He knew they would need both strength and courage to face all the changes that were coming. Remember, these people had been wandering the wilderness for forty years. They had the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of cloud by night to lead them. Manna was provided and miraculously their clothing or shoes did not wear out. But now, not only was their leadership about to change, so was their purpose. Change was coming full on, new things were going to become common. I am sure it consumed many with “can we really do this?” Moses’ advice to every Israelite, to help them overcome these thoughts were: “be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them.” Why? Because the Lord, their God, had promised to go with them.

It is the same with us. We must remember it is the Lord our God that is going with us. We are not alone. Once we settle in our own hearts and minds that we are not alone in doing our assignment (which means we have access to His strength and His courage), we can proceed! And I am proceeding. My book is with an outside editor. My son is working on a cover and many of the obstacles are being overcome. But the interesting thing is my mind still faces fear, dread and insecurities! Would anyone want to read it? Will it be helpful? I must continually capture these “obstacle thoughts”. I encourage you to do the same with any obstacle thoughts that bombard you. Do not let them distract, derail, or deter you from accomplishing God’s purpose in your life. For me, right now, it is simply a matter of obedience. It is something, He asked me to do, and I am doing it. I trust the outcome to Him. The purpose to Him and His plans.

Father, I thank You for Your promises, that You will never leave nor forsake us. I thank You, that as we capture these obstacle thoughts, we can proceed, knowing You are with us, we can accomplish Your assignments for each of us. In Jesus’ Name. amen.