08/14/2026
I read today a devotion that was titled -Overcoming Obstacles
I want to share some thoughts about what I read.
Matthew 17:14-21, “And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.” Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.””
Matthew 17:14-21 NKJV
No obstacle confuses God or poses any kind of challenge. Though we know He is sovereign over all, we have trouble maintaining this perspective, just like the disciples in today’s passage. When difficulties arise, we tend to shift our focus.
We tend to take our eyes off the Lord and instead see only our problems.
In times of trouble, we start taking inventory of our own strength and abilities. The truth is that we don’t have what is needed for life’s trials.
John 16:33 tells us, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.””
John 16:33 NKJV
God’s capabilities are unlimited, His power is never-ending, and His wisdom is complete.
We tend to view obstacles as barriers.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 says, “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
II Corinthians 12:7-10 NKJV
The Lord can demonstrate His awesome power through our difficulties.
In difficult times we must grow in our faith and learn more about our Father. If we view hardships simply as troubles, then we can miss demonstrations of God’s love, power, and wisdom.
Today no matter what you face, know that in life we will face difficulties but we serve a God who is greater than the world. Keep our focus on Him. Paul rejoiced in a prison cell facing ex*****on. Let’s strive to have that kind of faith.
A blessed day!!
