Last week we ended with this paragraph – ‘As Kings, we are experiencing many breakthroughs in this pioneering phase. Strongholds are crumbling and great victories are being won. If you happen to catch a defeat, take a second breath, and pray your way through the resistance. There is a way, you are more than a conqueror, and your destiny is to be the head and not the tail. Don’t surrender to feelings of inadequacy – you carry God’s own power and Holy Spirit in your heart. Pretending to be small, defeated, discouraged or fearful does nothing to serve the purposes of God. Because of Jesus, you are far more powerful than your enemies.”
This week we want to share three ways to get around or through your obstacles and setbacks.
#1 Believe in resurrections – Successful people experience more setbacks than the rest of us! They prevail because they try more things. Nobody has all the magic answers to a life of faith. Although we often preach it like we’re bullet-proof, we all have scars from our failures… some from the enemy, some self-inflicted. Here’s what separates success from failure; winners from quitters; You simply have to understand that there is a way through your dilemma. If you really believe God is backing you and that “a way exists” then you will keep looking, asking, seeking, knocking, and trying until you find it. The formula to stay in the death and discouragement of a setback it when we stop looking for our personal resurrection.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11 NIV
19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isa 43:19 NIV
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Cor 10:13 KJV
#2 Try a “new thing” – You’ve probably heard the saying, “Insanity is really just attempting the same thing over and over again expecting a different result.” There are times in warfare when a flanking move is your best option. We can get locked into a certain path which we believe to be the “will of God” and stop listening to the Holy Spirit. Then it becomes more important that we be broken (Mt 21:44).
The essence of creativity is our ability to find the new way of doing something. The Christian life is full of mid-course corrections in our walk with God. Our direction often changes with circumstances as we wisely and prayerfully assess our path forward. There is always more than one good way to achieve the plan and purpose of God.
See if you can write down 10 ways around your obstacle. Of that number, you’ll find an anointing on several and the exercise will help you break out.
7 We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. 8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Ps 124:7-8 NIV
#3 Don’t be a Victim – The essence of poverty is blaming circumstances, other people, the devil, or even God for our setback. It’s actually in our own personal wilderness that God makes a way; “a new thing.”
19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isa 43:19 KJV
There are times when someone else will step into our lives at God’s direction and mentor us, show us how, or even provide the breakthrough. They are like angels sent by God to deliver us.
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Gal 6:2 NIV
However, when our eyes get off the Lord on on the “angels” we start to miss the point of warfare. God uses these obstacles to develop us and sharpen our faith. Difficulties are personal opportunities to become mighty men. If someone else does it for us they gain the reward and the growth… and we learn to be dependent and helpless.
...for each one should carry his own load.Gal 6:5 NIV
….For each one shall bear his own load. Gal 6:5 NKJV
….For every man shall bear his own burden. Gal 6:5 KJV
Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. Gal 6:4-5 Message Bible
See the balance? – We don’t want to be too independent… afraid to ask for advice or help. However, the source of our deliverance is always the Lord himself. He wants to be our provider and the object of our faith. He longs to show himself strong on our behalf.
You and I are not the objects of rescue. He’s the King of kings (we are kings with a little “k”). He’s the Lord of lords (we’re called to rule and reign with him). He’s the Lord of hosts (Loosely translated – He’s a butt kicker… and we’re part of His army). Rise above the obstacles. First in your heart, then allow the manifestation of your triumph to follow from the revelation of the “new thing.” Resolve to “make a way” where there seems to be none.
