Five Ways to Fight Roadblocks

CBN.com In what area of your life do you feel like you’ve hit a roadblock and it is discouraging you? Perhaps it is in your work or finances, in a relationship or responsibility, your health or a weight loss challenge. Whether personally or professionally, we all face points on our path where the answers don’t come soon enough. It is during these times when you must tap into a spirit of determination. If you don't, you may see your dreams wash away.

This type of determination is epitomized by a group of friends 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 Close Luke 5:17 One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.) And the Lord's healing power was strongly with Jesus. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
  – 19).

• “…He [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 Close Luke 5:24-25 So I will prove to you that the Son of Man* has the authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!" And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
  ).

These men didn’t see the crowds surrounding the house as a road block. They knew their answer was inside, but they also knew they would not be able to access their answer the quick and easy way. It looked like there was no way in, but they determined to find a way!

This week, I challenge you to get determined. In our fast-paced culture, could it be that we have become so used to getting what we want quickly and easily that the virtues of determination, patience, and perseverance have suffered? 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.” You may have to work harder than you thought. You may have to be creative. You may have to step outside your comfort zone and do it differently than everyone around you. But when it comes to your destiny, there is always a way to work around the obstacles. In fact, the obstacles are often there so that you can develop the character traits you need to succeed in the next phase of your life.

Consider this five-step process to working around the perceived obstacles in your life:

1. Make a decision to find a way.
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 it is that you want or need, and focus keenly on it. The people in the Scripture above wanted healing for their friend – and they made a decision to do what it takes to get it. Get clear about what you are aiming for, then refuse to allow distractions to steal your focus. What is the real goal you need to be focused on?

2. Manage your expectations.
Don’t expect success to come “fast and easy.” It is possible that your answer may come quickly and easily, but don't count on it. More often than not, success comes when you persevere, persist, and work at it over time. Be prepared for the long haul.

3. Stop focusing on the obstacle and start looking for an opportunity.
The men with the paralyzed friend weren’t focused on the crowds swarmed around the house. They didn’t try to push their way through. They realized that their real problem was not the crowd. The real problem was that 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 would not work, they focused on finding another way. When it comes to overcoming the obstacle to achieving your goal, what options haven’t you considered? Write them all down. If you have trouble identifying options, brainstorm with a wise and trusted friend, pray, and listen for options that are different from what you've previously considered.

4. Be creative.
When it looks like there is no opportunity, create one. Research your options. Be willing to fail. Blaze a trail if necessary. There is a way!

5. Do what you have to do.
Be willing to do the thing that’s hard. 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 your heels in and be determined! On the other side of your obstacle, your prize awaits you.

My challenge to you this week:

Make a decision to find a way! Then take each of these five steps toward your goal.

Journaling assignment:

What is your true goal? What is 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?

A sought-after life coach and speaker, Valorie Burton seeks to inspire people to live more fulfilling, less stressful lives. She is the author of Listen to Your Life, What’s Really Holding You Back?, Rich Minds, Rich Rewards, and her latest, Why Not You? 28 Days to Authentic Confidence.