Is It An Obstacle Or An Opportunity?

Posted on 23. Jul, 2010 by frank in faith

I recently met a single mom that God has brought through some tremendous trials. She has overcome addictions, abuse and host of incredible challenges. She’s also found tremendous strength in her faith through the support of Christians around her. It was really exciting to observe that she is maturing in her faith. It was so visible through her attitude about herself and her desire to change future behavior. I loved hearing her describe the challenges she faced as new ways she could honor God with her life and with her choices.

What she was beginning to realize is that God can use your obstacles as opportunities!

It make me think of Philippians 1:12

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

You see, often we get so stuck on the why (why me? why now? why God?) that we forget to ask what. In this verse Paul is finding his answer for the why question by asking, “What God is doing?”

We know from Acts 28 Paul was in prison for two years. This wasn’t a quick overnight stay and Paul is saying to his friends, “what has happened to me served to advance the gospel.”

So if God is going to use our obstacles as opportunities we have got to learn to ask what.

• What is God doing?

• What does God want to show me?

• What is God’s purpose?

• What is God going to do through this?

In Paul’s situation he says that using his imprisonment to “advance” the gospel. In Greek, that word is a huge key word to understanding what Paul is getting at!

Advance – prokope (prok-op-ay’) pioneer advance, progress of an army or expedition.

Basically, the word was used as someone would clear the path of anything in the way so that an army could progress into battle. By using it, it’s like Paul is saying he’s clearing the path so that he and others could more effectively spread the message of Jesus.

He goes on to say, “I am in chains for Christ.”

Instead of asking God, “Why am I in prison?” Paul is asking, “What can I do while in prison?” Guess what he does, the same thing he does while in jail in Philippi. He starts talking with the soldiers he has access to. Every six hours when shift change occurs he gets a new audience! The very chains that were used to restrict Paul were now being used to release Paul to do what he always dreamed of.

What are the chains in your life? What is it that you are experiencing that has you asking God “Why?” The pressure and stress that you are feeling from your situation that is restricting you… MAY BE THE VERY THING GOD USES TO RELEASE YOU.

We have to ask God the “what” question to discover the answer to our “why” question.