Overcoming Your Biggest Obstacle
“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 (NIV)
What is your biggest obstacle? What is it that makes you feel stuck? One of the names for Jesus given in Isaiah 9:6 is “El Gibbor” – The Mighty God. He is our strong warrior and champion who fights our battles and gives us the victory! The truth is Christ, as Commander in Chief of your life, wants to give you the power to overcome your biggest obstacle. So, what is it? What has become a barrier in your life preventing you from experiencing the blessing of God?
The physician and Gospel writer, Luke, tells us of a woman who had such an obstacle in her life that no one could help her. In desperation, she turned to the only one left, a miracle worker, who she had heard about that could heal any disease. Jesus’ power must be real, she thought, when she saw the synagogue leader, Jarius, falling at His feet pleading for Him to come to his home and heal his dying daughter. Having spent all her money on doctors only to get worse, she needed a miracle! She needed a power greater than man to overcome the obstacle in her life. She needed a Mighty God! As she pushed her way through the crowd, Mark tells us what happened: “She had heard all about the wonderful miracles Jesus did, and that is why she came up behind Him through the crowd and touched His clothes. For she thought to herself, ‘If I can just touch His clothing, I will be healed.’ And sure enough, as soon as she had touched Him, the bleeding stopped and she knew she was well!” Mark 5:27-29 (TLB)
Wow! Only a Mighty God could pull off a miracle like that! He gives us the power to overcome even when we feel overcome by the obstacles and problems in our lives! In fact, every problem has a purpose. Every obstacle is an opportunity for God to show Himself mighty to save, to break through the barriers in our lives that block His blessing. Knowing this changes our perspective on problems. I love the way Eugene Peterson paraphrases Jesus’ words in The Message: "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule.” Matthew 5:3 (MSG)
Are you feeling at the end of your rope? You’re actually in a good place Jesus says. When we make Christ the CEO of every decision in our lives, we turn every obstacle over to Him. Rather than trying to control everything ourselves and stressing out, we can experience His peace and power to overcome our biggest obstacle. But that’s not all Jesus would do for this poor woman. He would also give her the power to overcome her greatest fear and her deepest hurt. No wonder Jesus is called the Mighty God!