Finding Courage in the Obstacles.

“You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

I walk down a trail, unsure of where it will lead me, and in the path this rock is before me.

Looking for a way out, I find more rocks surrounding it. I’m stuck but I don’t want to turn back. Looking up I notice the giant tree rising tall from the very rock that’s hindering me. I wonder why I can’t overcome obstacles with the same capacity and boldness.  That tree not only survives being planted there but thrives in a difficult environment—withstanding lightning and wind, hail and snow, the scorching sun.

“But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded. Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him. They stumbled over the great rock in their path”.
Romans 9:31-33 New Living Translation

We want to be strong in the face of adversity, but it doesn’t always happen that way. The rocks we face are formidable and it takes all our effort to scale them, let alone plant our roots firmly. We want to BE the rock. But our efforts are not what God desires when we face difficulties.

“You will keep in perfect peace
    all who trust in you,
    all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.”
Isaiah 26:3-5 New Living Translation

Christ alone helps us overcome our troubles with victory.  He will give us courage and peace on the rocky paths when we trust Him.

Copyright photo and text Desiree Bustamante