Fall Back To Spring Forward: Let Go And Let God

Our “fall back” schedule begins November 1. But you may be feeling like we couldn’t fall back any more than we already have. Backlogged travel plans, furloughed jobs, along with canceled parties and family celebrations, are all taking their toll. But behind it all is a silver lining. Fall back to spring forward. Let Go and Let God. It  can make all the difference in accelerating your goals in a time of substantial stagnation.

Frustrated about obstacles that appear to be preventing you from achieving your goals? That’s entirely understandable. Navigating in a sea of restrictions and parameters, we look for lighthouses of opportunity. But it’s hard to spot them in the murky fog of uncertainty. We can ask though for help in seeing the water’s surface as God does. He has the eternal view and perspective.

In 1 Samuel 16:7, we read these powerful words: “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. And in 1 Corinthians 4:5 we read “…do not pronounce judgement before the time…the Lord will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. Clearly, God has the wide and the long view when compared with that we perceive out of our short-sighted periscope view.

Let’s take a look at four objectives God may be achieving with regard to the obstacles we see before us.

Molding Our Character

God deftly uses challenges and obstacles to develop our character and strengthen our ability to endure. He uses health problems, relationship difficulties, loss, disappointments, and tragedies. Such challenges can mold and refine us. In Romans 8:18, Paul reminds us that “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character…” Paul knew all about suffering from his mistreatment in prison to the “thorn in his flesh” that he spoke of. In 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 he said, “Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness.” When the Lord strengthens us through such experiences, we overcome obstacles in our own lives and are better equipped for the next round of adversity sure to come our way.

As overcomers with strengthened character, we also inspire others in our sphere of influence to do the same. When Peter pledged his allegiance to Jesus hours before his infamous denial, Jesus gently offered this response in Luke 22:32. “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Now there’s a suggestion Peter took to heart. His words have been strengthening his brothers for thousands of years!

Building Your Contentment

Some obstacles we face and endure like Paul’s thorn do not subside with time or intervention. As we learn to live with and face continual hurdles, we can arrive at a place of contentment with God’s help. James put this notion in perspective in chapter one verses 2-4 in his book of the Bible. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

To be content means to know that you have everything you need provided by God. Paul said in Philippians 4:12-13, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” The state of contentment is solid and unshakeable when it’s rooted in Christ.

Increasing Our Hope

When we sail over the hurdles put before us in this life, we are filled with hope in that overcoming process. I liken this struggle over obstacles to the actual act of running hurdles in track and field. The runner’s objective is to clear the hurdle and continue running to the next one. But if the hurdle topples to the ground, it’s still a win for the runner and he or she can keep on going. The same is true of obstacles in your own life. Something may topple along the way but if you press on you can complete the course. And that, my friends, is a true win. “Character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Glorifying Him In the World

One of the most exciting byproducts of perseverance and victory through adversity is the glorification of God through it. In John 3:30, when Judas left the upper room to set the trap to betray Jesus, the Savior of the world made a most astounding statement. In verse 31 He says, “Now the son of man is glorified and God is glorified in Him.” I don’t know about you, but my go-to declaration would probably be more of a “woe is me” than a “God be glorified” kind of comment. How amazing is it that even as He faced the cross, Jesus had His eyes fixed on glorifying God?

When we face our crosses and fall back, that is where our eyes need to be, too. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us. Paul says in Romans 8:18 Certainly in eternity the glory of God will be revealed in its full measure. But this side of eternity, God is also glorified when we endure pain and mistreatment. Those who know we are Christ-followers will see something different in us. There might be a few fallen hurtles along the way. But all the same, God is truly glorified when we finish strong despite all our fall backs. So join me in sailing over our current hurtles as we press on to win the prize> Let’s run the race marked out for us with courage and confidence as described in Hebrews 12:1.

Join Christian encourager/blogger/author Cindy LaFavre Yorks as she sojourns alongside you in your faith walk. Partner with her as she shares her travel tips for navigating life’s most challenging detours. Through personal storytelling and Bible application, Cindy cheers you on as you raise your white flag and deepen your trust in Him to develop an unshakeable faith to help you go the distance.