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Overcoming Obstacles
- By Valorie Burton
- Published 12/21/2007
- Practical Advice
- Unrated
Valorie Burton
Valorie Burton is a sought-after life coach, speaker, and author. Her latest book is Why Not You? 28 Days to Build Authentic Confidence. You can subscribe to her free e-newsletter at www.valorieburton.com.
Anything truly worth having is worth working for
Do you feel as though you’ve hit a roadblock in your life?
Perhaps it’s in your work or finances, in a relationship or responsibility, your health or a weight-loss challenge. Personally and professionally, we all face times during which the answers don’t come soon enough. During these times we must tap into a spirit of determination. If we don't, we may see our dreams wash away.
This type of determination is epitomized by a group of people trying to help their paralyzed friend in the New Testament:
Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
—Luke 5:17-19
[Jesus] said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.
—Luke 5:24-25
These men didn’t see the crowd surrounding the house as a roadblock. They knew their answer was inside, but they also knew they couldn’t access their answer the quick and easy way. It looked like there was no way in, but they determined to find one.
In our fast-paced culture, could it be that we’ve become so used to getting what we want quickly and easily that the virtues of determination, patience, and perseverance show weakness when things don’t come so easily? Authentic confidence says, “I may not know how to get it right now, but there is a way, and I am determined to find it.”
We may have to work harder than we’d thought—or harder than we’d like to. We may have to be creative. We may have to step outside our comfort zone and do it differently than everyone around us. But we can get around obstacles. In fact, it’s likely God put the obstacles there so we could develop the character traits we need in order to grow.
Consider these principles in working around the perceived obstacles in your life:
Make a Decision
Determination begins with a decision to succeed, whatever it takes. Set your intention to succeed. Commit to it fully. Be confident. Get clear about what you want or need and focus keenly on it.
The people in Luke wanted healing for their paralyzed friend—and they made a decision to do what it took to get it. Refuse to allow distractions to steal your focus. Make sure you ask yourself what the real, appropriate goal is, then make a firm decision to go after it.
Manage Expectations
Don’t expect success to come fast and easily. More often than not, success comes when you persevere, persist, and work at it over time. Be prepared for the long haul.
Focus on the Opportunity, not the Obstacle
The men with the paralyzed friend weren’t focused on the crowds swarming around the house. They didn’t try to push their way through. They realized their real obstacle was simple: Their friend needed to be healed and a miracle healer was inside—if they could just get to him. Seeing that the traditional way of getting into the house wouldn’t work, they focused on finding another way.
When it comes to overcoming the obstacle(s) to achieving your goal, what options have you still not considered? Write them all down. If you have trouble identifying options, brainstorm with a wise and trusted friend, and pray and listen for options you haven’t yet considered.
Be Creative
When it looks like there’s no opportunity, create one. Invent something. Blaze a trail if necessary. Be willing to fail. Believe there is a way—because there is.
Do Whatever It Takes
Be willing to do the hard things. Anything truly worth having is worth working for. Being determined means doing what you have to do. Complaining won’t change things. Feeling sorry for yourself won’t, either. Dig in your heels and be determined.
My challenge to you: Make a decision to find a way—then take each of the latter five steps toward your goal.
Journaling assignment: What’s your true goal? What’s your biggest obstacle to achieving your true goal? At the core of the matter, why is this keeping you from your goal? What alternatives would get you to your goal? If you can’t think of any, who could help you brainstorm?
Lastly, by working around this obstacle, what character trait do you think God is trying to help you develop?
Perhaps it’s in your work or finances, in a relationship or responsibility, your health or a weight-loss challenge. Personally and professionally, we all face times during which the answers don’t come soon enough. During these times we must tap into a spirit of determination. If we don't, we may see our dreams wash away.
This type of determination is epitomized by a group of people trying to help their paralyzed friend in the New Testament:
Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
—Luke 5:17-19
[Jesus] said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.
—Luke 5:24-25
These men didn’t see the crowd surrounding the house as a roadblock. They knew their answer was inside, but they also knew they couldn’t access their answer the quick and easy way. It looked like there was no way in, but they determined to find one.
In our fast-paced culture, could it be that we’ve become so used to getting what we want quickly and easily that the virtues of determination, patience, and perseverance show weakness when things don’t come so easily? Authentic confidence says, “I may not know how to get it right now, but there is a way, and I am determined to find it.”
We may have to work harder than we’d thought—or harder than we’d like to. We may have to be creative. We may have to step outside our comfort zone and do it differently than everyone around us. But we can get around obstacles. In fact, it’s likely God put the obstacles there so we could develop the character traits we need in order to grow.
Consider these principles in working around the perceived obstacles in your life:
Make a Decision
Determination begins with a decision to succeed, whatever it takes. Set your intention to succeed. Commit to it fully. Be confident. Get clear about what you want or need and focus keenly on it.
The people in Luke wanted healing for their paralyzed friend—and they made a decision to do what it took to get it. Refuse to allow distractions to steal your focus. Make sure you ask yourself what the real, appropriate goal is, then make a firm decision to go after it.
Manage Expectations
Don’t expect success to come fast and easily. More often than not, success comes when you persevere, persist, and work at it over time. Be prepared for the long haul.
Focus on the Opportunity, not the Obstacle
The men with the paralyzed friend weren’t focused on the crowds swarming around the house. They didn’t try to push their way through. They realized their real obstacle was simple: Their friend needed to be healed and a miracle healer was inside—if they could just get to him. Seeing that the traditional way of getting into the house wouldn’t work, they focused on finding another way.
When it comes to overcoming the obstacle(s) to achieving your goal, what options have you still not considered? Write them all down. If you have trouble identifying options, brainstorm with a wise and trusted friend, and pray and listen for options you haven’t yet considered.
Be Creative
When it looks like there’s no opportunity, create one. Invent something. Blaze a trail if necessary. Be willing to fail. Believe there is a way—because there is.
Do Whatever It Takes
Be willing to do the hard things. Anything truly worth having is worth working for. Being determined means doing what you have to do. Complaining won’t change things. Feeling sorry for yourself won’t, either. Dig in your heels and be determined.
My challenge to you: Make a decision to find a way—then take each of the latter five steps toward your goal.
Journaling assignment: What’s your true goal? What’s your biggest obstacle to achieving your true goal? At the core of the matter, why is this keeping you from your goal? What alternatives would get you to your goal? If you can’t think of any, who could help you brainstorm?
Lastly, by working around this obstacle, what character trait do you think God is trying to help you develop?
