Brick Walls

Ever feel like every time you try something there is a huge brick wall blocking your path? Every time you try to make a difference there is some sort of obstacle? Every time you want to try something fresh something gets in your way?
So often it seems like just when we are all fired up and ready to do something to try and serve God we get knocked back. Someone drops out. The funding doesn’t come through. An illness crops up. And it can be discouraging. But listen to what James says:
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4
Maybe the brick walls aren’t there to stop us. Maybe, just maybe they are sometimes there to strengthen us, to build our faith to a stronger level. Maybe the brick walls are sometimes put there by God to test how much we really want it – will we give up at the first setback or do we want it enough to persevere?
So when you are faced with a brick wall – and trust me, you will be at some point – don’t give up and turn back. Figure out how you can use it to let your endurance grow and develop. Look for an alternate route around, but don’t give up on the destination. Some brick walls are there to be pushed down. Some are there to show us we need to take a slightly different path. They aren’t there to tell us to simply give up and quite trying. If God is for us, what can ever stop us? Don’t let some small temporary obstacle hold you back from the purpose He has for you. Don’t tell God how big your brick wall is, tell your brick wall how big God is!