The cliché that anything worth achieving does not come easily is true to some extent. Another cliché: what is destined for someone will not pass them by is also true to some extent. We add the term "to some extent" because there are always conditions under which spiritual principles operate. God is sovereign, but He does not keep us in ignorance regarding our role in His plan. That is, we are always involved with actions; otherwise, there wouldn't be a Bible, prophecies, messages, spiritual guidance, teachings, and Christian communities. Of course, human actions are often not in agreement with God's will. This does not place us outside of God's overall plan for the world or suggest that we "shake" the foundations and manage to sabotage God's intentions, because that would mean that God is neither strong enough nor wise.
Does this mean, however, that obstacles and difficulties always arise when we err or go against God's will? On the contrary, Holy Scripture is full of examples and verses of people suffering because they are doing the right things and because they are obedient to God. Prophet Daniel is one such person, refusing to comply with the king's order not to worship Yahweh. The three young men thrown into the fiery furnace by Nebuchadnezzar are another example; they also refuse to obey the king and do not bow to the idol as they were commanded. We see that prophets like Elijah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, John the Baptist, all the apostles, and especially Jesus Himself, suffer. Some suffer unto death, all because they stand for righteousness. They experience hardships, battles, pain, attacks, and all kinds of opposition not because they are disobedient to God, but quite the opposite – because they have surrendered everything of theirs to Him, which makes them extremely "dangerous" and "harmful" to someone else. Apostle Paul is one of the most suffering biblical figures, as he shares himself in his epistles. Besides the physical pain and violence he endures (mainly from his fellow countrymen), while preaching the good news of salvation, he speaks very openly about the inner battles he experiences: "I am filled with comfort, I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation. For when we came into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears." (2 Corinthians 7:4b-5).
Do Paul and his fellow workers experience all this because they are sinful or doing something wrong? No, of course not. They are actually going against the flow of this world, armed with the revolutionary power of God's selfless love. They go against sinful human nature, against lawlessness and injustice, against the very "prince of this world" Satan, carrying the Truth and Freedom. This explains why they encounter resistance and their lives are in constant danger. (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:30)
This also explains why all of us who want to live rightly and follow in the footsteps of our Savior encounter obstacles and difficulties. It would not be logical for it to be easy for us if we "destroy the works of the devil," as Jesus Himself does. You do not remain invisible when you speak the truth where there is lying, when you forgive where there is revenge, when you honor where there is humiliation, or when you stay silent where there is slander and gossip. You make an impression on people, but first and foremost, you "stand out" to the one who wants to drag these people with him into hell. Do not be puzzled by obstacles and hindrances; this can be a sign that you are on the right path.
"Let us give thanks to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in the Lord's name is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:57-58)
Challenge of the week: Can you take half an hour or at least 15 minutes at the end of each day to write down the obstacles and challenges of the day? Note everything that disturbed, shook, worried, distracted, angered, or caused you to make mistakes. It is important to note not only external obstacles but also internal struggles. Can you find a common element in all situations? Our enemy sometimes knows our weaknesses better than we do. Perhaps this is where God needs to heal you or the problem that needs to be removed; present it in prayer before the Lord Jesus Christ.
*Biblical quotes are according to the text of the Bible, new translation from the original languages © Bulgarian Bible Society 2013.
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