You set goals and have dreams you want to fulfill. You are excited about life and what you desire your life to be. You start the work to make your dreams a reality. Then you run into an Obstacle. Do you see the obstacle as a barrier to stop or an opportunity to grow?
Some people see obstacles as a puzzle to solve. Some see obstacles as an opportunity to grow. Others see obstacles as threats. Still others see obstacles as meaning they cannot succeed. Your view of barriers to achieving your goals affects how you react.
Sometimes obstacles can be overcome, and sometimes they can’t. Sometimes you have to work around them or find alternatives. The key is to not give up without wise consideration because you hit an obstacle,
Today we are examining our perception of common types of Life Obstacles and how to respond to them.
Text:Mark 10:46-52
There is a difference between an Obstacle and a problem.
An obstacle is a temporary barrier or hurdle that needs to be overcome to progress, typically requiring a short-term, specific action.
A problem is a challenge that requires a solution or a course of action, often with long-term implications.
Types of Life Obstacles
External Obstacles: These are obstacles outside of your control such as the economy, natural disasters, physical limitations, other people’s opinion, and difficulty adapting to change.
Internal Obstacles: These are mental and emotional barriers that you may impose on yourself, often unconsciously. These barriers stem from within and can hinder your personal growth, progress, and goal achievement. Examples include self-doubt, fear of failure, procrastination, limiting beliefs, and negative self-talk.
Habitual Obstacles: These are internal Strongholds of the mind, built through the story you have created and told yourself over time, into a belief system which has become the filter through which you view life.
Can an Obstacle become a problem? How or Why?
Suggestion on how to overcome Habitual Obstacles:John 16:33, John 8:31-36
- Awareness of Obstacles: Recognizing your fears, doubts, and other limiting beliefs
- Change the filter of your Belief system: Mark 4:24-25, Matthew 6:22-23
- Develop a new positive internal dialogue: Luke 6:43-45
Beliefs may arise from faith or experience. They are about the filter through which you view life. Some people have optimistic beliefs—life is good; I can accomplish what I want; I can trust others to help me. But for too many others, the beliefs are negative: life is a struggle, I can’t succeed, I can’t trust others
‘For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.’
II Corinthians 10:4-6
