Overcoming Obstacles

An obstacle is something that impedes progress or achievement. Such impediments in various forms target every aspect of life, which can’t be avoided or exempt. However, you can overcome them. Some time ago, while in prayer, God revealed seven major obstacles every Elect of God will encounter. The Almighty utilizes these obstructions as vetting tools to uncover our hearts’ contents, intentions and motives toward Him and His purpose for our lives. Understanding this truth is imperative for developing the confidence necessary to engage and overcome life’s hurdles. Etymologically, the word “overcome” is to reach, overtake, move or pass over; conquer, prevail over and defeat in combat.

The requisite to overcoming life’s obstacles is confrontation. You cannot overcome what you won’t confront. David conquered Goliath because he was bold enough to face him. Fear, timidity and inferiority are tactical tools used by Satan to keep you complacent, stagnant and unproductive. I’m going to address seven variations of obstacles in this article to help you identify, confront and conquer the obstructions that continue to impede progress.

Obstacle One: Getting Started

You can’t finish what you won’t start is a simple statement yet profound. The question “What if?” prohibits so many from leaving the starting line, anxious about an outcome that may never become their reality. Success in life will remain a dream unattained unless you decide to suit up and show up.

Obstacle Two: Procrastination

For others, getting started isn’t the issue; it’s moving forward in the next step that holds them back. What’s causing you to stall and delay completing the next set of instructions required for progression, productivity and advancement? Unfortunately, there is logic to one’s laziness. Procrastinators have (so they believe) justifiable reasons why they’re the way they are. Continuing to make excuses for such behavior will keep one incarcerated by their “now,” forever limiting the advancement of the future.

Obstacle Three: Lack of Support

Unfortunately for many, this obstacle results in them throwing in the towel. You must understand that the lack of support isn’t an indicator of nonexistent help. As Elisha told his servant in 2 Kings 6:16 (NKJV), “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” You can’t afford to quit in fulfilling your purpose because a few folks quit on you.

Obstacle Four: Frustration

Frustration, if not dealt with, will lead to grave consequences. In Numbers 20:11-12, Moses proves this point. His frustration concerning Israel’s attitude and disposition toward God resulted in disobedience, causing him not to enter the promised land.

Obstacle Five: Wrong Relationships

Inappropriate relationships aren’t defined only by connecting with those incompatible with one’s destiny and purpose. God-ordained relationships become toxic, unproductive, nonbeneficial relationships when we remain beyond the allotted time or season.

Obstacle Six: Distractions

A meaningful life lesson that behooves all to learn is that every action or happening doesn’t warrant a response. Distractions are the tactics used by the adversary to deter focus from what’s essential and significant. We must develop the discipline and inner strength necessary to ignore the attention-grabbers that come to detour destiny.

Obstacle Seven: Failure

The most challenging experience of life for many to recover from is a failure. This particular obstacle, unfortunately, continues to defeat most Christians. People fail to realize that failure is an ingredient for growth and development. It’s a necessary element of life that enables us to appreciate and value our successes. Understand that failure isn’t in discovering a person’s weakness but rather in the decision to quit because of it.

Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Do you believe the verse you just read? Quoting scripture isn’t the same as embodying it that you may assimilate it. Regardless of the order of sequence or how often these obstacles confront you, you can overtake, move, pass over, conquer and defeat them. According to Romans 8:37, you are a conqueror! {eoa}

Prophet C.T. Johnson served as the establishmentarian and senior pastor of three churches. Prophetic Voice Ministries founded August 2005 in Warner Robins, Georgia; Applying the Word Community Church, founded in January 2007 in Charleston, South Carolina; and Empowering WORD Ministries founded January 2014 in Warner Robins, Georgia. As a prophetic educator/trainer, author, radio/television and podcast host, Prophet Johnson sits as president and CEO of C. T. Johnson Ministries Int’l, a partnership-based outreach ministry headquartered in Commerce City, Colorado, mandated to declare truth & empower lives. He is a part of New Era Apostleship Restitution (N.E.A.R.), a kingdom-driven collaborative led by its founder and chief apostle, Dr. Paula A. Price, Ph.D. (best-selling author of The Prophet’s Dictionary). In addition to ministry, Prophet Johnson currently serves his country through the United States Air Force in the rank of Master Sergeant for over 20 years. He’s married to the love of his life, Mrs. Jessica D. Johnson, a licensed minister and psalmist of 18 years who faithfully serves with him in ministry.