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Overcoming Obstacles with Christ for #LoveYourLifeFriday

Facing a difficult time? Difficulties along life’s journey?  Today for #LoveYourLifeFriday, contributor Amanda Wells tells us how to overcome obstacles with Christ.

Overcoming Obstacles with Christ by Amanda Wells for #LoveYourLifeFriday at karenehman.com.

We hiked single file past the fallen trees and outcropping of rocks. Laughter drifted and branches whispered as the wind rippled past. These hiking adventures had become a favorite pastime for us when we visited our family in north Georgia. A state park bordered my dad’s property line giving us access to winding trails leading to a stone quarry.

The four biggest kids trudged ahead, staking their walking sticks into the ground with each step. I brought up the rear.

Up ahead my daughter called, “Watch out for the roots!” We’d managed to sidestep the previous rocks and roots creeping across the trail but the beauty of the forest dragged our eyes from the trail.

My other daughter cautioned, “Be careful!” She lightly lifted her feet clearing the large root jutting out from the ground.

In case we hadn’t heard their warnings, my younger son hollered, “Don’t trip!”

My oldest son turned to me laughing and raced ahead. The next thing I knew, he’d face planted on the trail right ahead of me. He didn’t clear the root.

After all the warnings from ones who’d gone before us, and after seeing it with our own eyes, he still managed to let the root grab a foothold and send him sprawling. He didn’t get hurt. He bounced up, dusted the bright orange Georgia clay off his shorts, and raced further up the trail.

I didn’t.

Something about the crisp air, the clean lines of towering trees, and the clear, beautiful scenery gave way to sudden clarity.

I wondered how often I’d let something so obvious trip me up.

Overcoming Obstacles with Christ by Amanda Wells for #LoveYourLifeFriday at karenehman.com.

Obstacles off the Trail

Examples bounced around in my head like a pinball machine. Like that time I’d posted pics of canning 42 jars of peaches on my Facebook just so I’d look like Suzy Homemaker. Or the time someone overheard me gossiping about another mom. The shame of pride colored my face, or maybe that was the sweet Georgia wind whipping across it, and my skin grew hot.

Recollections of old memorized Bible verses bloomed in my memory. Scripture regarding humility and pride and not boasting flooded my mind. I wondered about the hardworking mom who maybe felt shamed when she read the peaches post on social media.

Nuggets of wisdom from Proverbs came to me about the mouths of fools (18:7), gossips betraying a confidence (20:19), and speaking in haste (29:20). The sour taste of shame filled me with regret.

I’d let the enemy trip me up. Refusing to give heed to the warnings of others and my own quiet time in God’s word and in prayer failed to keep me standing firm.

I felt the face plant just assuredly as it had been myself lying in the orange clay.

Overcoming Obstacles with Christ

Maybe you relate to stumbling into obstacles you knew were there. Maybe you too heard warnings from those who’d gone ahead but somehow you let the enemy trip you up. Thankfully, there’s hope for all of us.

Recently, I posted on my Facebook page a warning not to face the enemy in your underpants, but to put on our spiritual armor every morning. I’ve noticed a pattern in my own life that when I start the day with the Lord, he gives me clarity, insight, and wisdom for the day.

The Holy Spirit is faithful to remind us of Scriptures we’ve hidden in our hearts when we’re tempted to try to clear that obstacle on our own. So instead of relying on my own strength, I put on my spiritual armor from my head to my toes (Ephesians 6:10-18).

If you find yourself stumbling over obstacles you could clearly see, things you’d been warned about, remember these words. Remember how faithful God is, how much He loves you, and how straight He will lead us if we just let Him.

Scriptures to Study

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way. Psalm 37:23

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Overcoming Obstacles with Christ by Amanda Wells for #LoveYourLifeFriday at karenehman.com.

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Amanda Wells is the proud wife of a smokin’ hot third-generation farmer, and they have taken Psalm 127:5 literally, raising their quiverful of six kids on the farm. She loves baking, reading, writing, and arithmetic (kidding!). Amanda writes about faith, homeschooling on the farm, and family life at farmwyfe.com.

 

 

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