The Bible has several great examples of individuals who prove that you can go through difficult times and make it through to the other side with God as your guide. The men and women in the Bible show us this. And with God's help, Moses successfully leads his people out of Egypt, free of bondage. However, we could enjoy a life in which we believe Christ and not let anxiety hinder us from accomplishing positive goals. I know I fall short as a writer, wife, or mother, and this pains me. What does God say about overcoming obstacles? "At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. The obstacle is the way. Thankfully, we can always turn to Gods word for guidance whenever we go through such difficult periods. He was pushed to the limit. 1 John 5:4-5 (AMP) And, any other 'overcoming' that we dowhether in spiritual victory over sin, or just reaching a goal in lifewe do through Christ, who gave His life so we could be reconciled to God. Even in writing, sometimes its hard to find the right words to express my thoughts. The wife of Abraham went through her own time wrestling with faith while Abraham was going through his. January 22, 2023. Like, well, I guess maybe God doesnt exist after all, or Gods abandoning me, so Im just going to abandon my faith in Him. He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, Make way! Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.Genesis 41:41-43 (NIV). It describes a man who gives himself entirely and completely to God. Jonah wrestled with his faith because he knew God was going to be gracious and compassionate to those he felt didnt deserve it. But Nehemiah didn't quit or rationalize that it "wasn't God's Will" because of the difficulties involved. We can guess the age range of some Bible women by comparison with other individuals in their stories. While there was happiness in maternity, there was also tremendous anguish in honor of becoming Jesuss mother. And, I have seen and I testify that this is Gods Chosen One.. Stories about Overcoming Obstacles. She even declared: If I perish, I perish. Nevertheless, they prevailed over the greatest challenges in their lives and proved that with strength, courage, and determinationand a little help from Godanyone can succeed. There are plenty of Bible characters who could serve as role models for kids. Its not too late! David is definitely one of the best examples of overcomers in the Bible! People in the past made their through obstacles and trials because they did not give up. Abigail - a strong woman of the Bible. It is the one who believes and recognizes the fact that Jesus is the Son of God. People who can stay strong and face every difficulty head-on and don't give up easily are hugely resilient. She was a new queen who lived comfortably with the love of the king. From Moses, we learn something simple yet often overlooked: we should remember to turn to God for help. It broke all the chains and opened the doors of the prisoners! He was massive. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 1 John 5:3-5 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. Although her life was full of glory, her vocation nevertheless saw many obstacles. But its our FAITH and complete reliance on GOD and HIS POWER that makes overcoming possible. In another incident, Paul was falsely accused of bringing Gentiles into the synagogue. Jul 5, 2022 12:07 AM EDT. This gives me great hope. Bible Verses About Overcoming - Struggles come in all shapes and sizes - fears, addictions, persecution, and worries can all seem to take over our thoughts. In the face of an uncertain future in an unfamiliar country, Ruth bravely followed Naomi. The Problem With Pineapples. ", 4 Things the Old Testament Teaches about Suffering, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The Female character inspired most of her people to serve God and their beliefs at a time when it was urgently required. But knowing hes wrestling with his faith, the father responds honestly. Sounds instant and simple. Faced with temptations? She had faith in God that He would answer her prayer. Stay here and keep watch with me. Proverbs 13:16. Jesus reminded them that he was the resurrection and the life. 8. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink." Magdalene. Ruth had also recently lost her spouse and was residing with her bereaved mother. God had answered my desperate call for help. Praise God! I don't believe in circumstances. To tell the truth the "secret" to overcoming obstacles and trials is a character trait that anyone can develop if they want to. Overcomers are followers of Christ who successfully resist the power and temptation of the world's system. 2. And what did Moses do? All those who heard him were astonished and asked, Isnt he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And yet, after a dramatic encounter with the risen Christ, mere days later Paul was preaching the gospel! If I could summarize the overcomer definition in the Bible in just a few words, it would be TO STAY TRUE TO YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST, NO MATTER WHAT! Then afterwards, they came to Elim, where the Bible tells us there were 12 springs and 70 palm trees plenty of water to go around. In Philippi, Paul was accused of anti-Roman teachings and got thrown in prison. Their stories stress one of the most important lessons of all: Never . He claimed he didn't know. We can act without fear or compromise, serving Him through every moment in our lives. The Man Who Overcame Obstacles Zacchaeus was the wealthy man of Jerusalem who gathered revenue for the Roman government, but who became a disciple of Christ ( Luke 19:1-10 ). 4. These can quiet the raging questions of what if, what about, and why. They are you and me, having persevered through life, and held tightly to our faith! Here was a man breathing out murderous threats against the Lords disciples (Acts 9:1). For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. "John, James, Andrew and Peter were the disciples closest to Jesus," Traylor says. She sold him out to the Philistines, and in the end he even lost his eyesight because of it. Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you. So he got up and ate and drank. But God equips us to overcome obstacles . Go back with her. But Ruth replied, Dont urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. And hasnt he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests? Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.Acts 9:19-22 (NIV). }. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. Sarah, Abraham's wife, laughed at the promise of God and then denied that she laughed. Jesus spent a lot of time with these two sisters, along with their brother Lazarus. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.Daniel 6:22 (NIV). Sometimes we need to ask for prayer or seek the counsel of a friend or pastor. Esther Final Thoughts Share this: Our emphasis, this time, would be on female characters who overcame obstacles. Photo credit:Thinkstock/KatarzynaBialasiewicz. 1 Kings 19:11-13. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Frustrated with Moses, the Lord allowed him to have his brother Aaron help him. She knew what it felt like to be lonely. But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. And last among these examples of overcomers in the Bible, is Timothy. denied knowing Jesus with cursing and swearing. If God is real, why doesnt He end our suffering? See my full disclosures HERE. They believed for the future last day but wrestled with the now. The Bible is filled with examples of those who overcame abuse and rejection. "God is strong, and he wants you strong. So, Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. Of course, you know I couldnt write about examples of overcomers in the Bible, without mentioning the King of Kings, the Chief Overcomer, our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! { This post and the photos within it contain affiliate links. In Matthew 4:18-21, he tells them he will make them "fishers of men.". They didn't let their obstacles get in their way of getting to Jesus. Its about staying true to God, even when its not easy! I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. The one true God gives me strength; he removes the obstacles in my way. Jesus Calms the Storm ~ Bible Journaling Tutorial. 2 And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds. Here are five prophets and the weaknesses that made them strong. 1 Peter 5:7 NLT. Obstacles build character One reason that God allows obstacles in our life is transformation. Here are some thoughts that run through my head that make me feel anxious about my day: "You're no good.". He thenaccepted that trusting God through it all was enough. Revelation 3:21 Verse Concepts Her first book Emerging With Wings: A True Story of Lies, Pain, And The LOVE that Heals has ushered many to emotional and spiritual freedom. Remind yourself of Gods promises, prayers Hes answered in your life, and your personal history with Him. (Job 1:20-21), The rest of the Book of Job tells us that through it all, Job struggles with his suffering, saying to God, "Does it please you to oppress me, to spurn the work of your hands, while you smile on the plans of the wicked?" And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. Dont be surprised when your faith is challenged to a wrestling match. Ruth. According to Genesis 21:5-7, Abraham was 100 years old when his child Isaac got born. 206.126.248.93 Paul was then transferred to Rome and placed under house arrest for another two years. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the worldour faith. Your IP: Yet, despite how weighed down they felt due to their dread, they remained strong enough to push through and emerge transformation as a result. However, Davids success and popularity caused King Saul to become jealous, and he eventually tried to kill David. They followed him, served him, and listened to him, but still wrestled with their faith. As if to say, Here I am Lord! Theres the tree of finding time for Bible study in a busy schedule. Moses struggled with Gods response, claiming he couldnt do public speaking. Be encouraged! He struggled to believe he could deliver his people from Egypt after murdering an Egyptian and being rejected by his Hebrew brothers. 3 And so it was, when Israel . Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.1 Kings 19:3-8 (NIV). Top 8 Female Bible characters who overcame obstacles. And time and time again, he had the chance to kill Saul, but he didn't because his heart was good. I love this story. Sept 22, 2014, 3:45pm PST. They stay inspired and motivated even when they know that it will take time and effort to overcome their obstacles. but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses. So what did Moses do? He uses it to shape us. Mordecai, Esthers cousin, pleaded for her to talk to the King. What is the most difficult thing youre facing right now in life. God was testing Moses and his people to see how they would react at having no water in their new land. Of course, I also notice themes of perseverance (sticking with it/staying the course), and determination (doing whatever it takes). The Bible has many great examples of individuals who journeyed through tough times with God by their side. Okay now, enough about you and me! We are here for you when you are ready. 2) John the Baptist John the Baptist faced opposition from two of the most powerful systems during his time: the religious system (the Pharisees) and the monarchy (Herod the tetrarch). Keep praying, and be persistent in your faith! In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.Job 1:20-22 (NIV). There's no doubt, that the Bible is full of Bible verses about struggle and perseverance. Jobs story reminds me of this testimony I heard about a Christian couple who lost their children in a traffic accident. This is a selection of people who overcame adversity, obstacles and difficult odds to attain a significant achievement. That is Gods connection between people. The 16 incredible stories below show how even horrible tragedies and setbacks can help fuel a drive for success. Many characters in the Bible felt this way. Esther demonstrated heroic qualities by risking her head to preserve the survival of her community. Make Room For Change. Pardon me, my lord, Gideon replied, but how can I save Israel? And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. Sarah remarked that God gave her a laugh and that everyone who heard her would laugh together with r her. Verse Concepts. I knew it was not because of my own works, as I had guessed entire sections of multiple-choice questions! Some people love to overcome challenges.". 4: Do Your Research. Whenever someone feels down, they look for a motivational quote or inspiration. However, Mordecai then noted to Esther that God may have made her queen for this very purpose saving her people. Job eventually repents and is humbled before God. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. He wants to serve God only. Here are five of these individuals, and some takeaways we can learn from them. John had frequent run-ins with the Pharisees. He claimed he didnt know how to speak because he was too young. But soon enough, problems occurred: three days had passed and they could not find drinkable water. And, in the end, Ruths decision to stick by her mother-in-law was rewarded! Earlier on in his life, Moses ran to the wilderness to flee from Pharaoh who wanted to kill him. Wanna obey God? Cling to truths instead. Be encouraged, God has called you an overcomer! He had everything that anyone living in that time would want a big family, good health and plentiful wealth. But in Biblical times, a young person such as Timothy wouldve been looked down upon or even disrespected, because they supposedly werent old enough or wise enough to be leading the people. Let's allow their stories to give us inspiration today as we learn how to be bold for God. Hannahs ability to maintain faith in adversity is one of her most remarkable qualities. The Female character, too, lost her spouse without having children, leading others to believe she was barren. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org, They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the, Remove every obstacle out of the way of My people., Now it came about when all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard how the. We learn from their experiences that we cant have a fearless lifestyle. He wanted to make it clear that his transformation was not solely from his own effort, but first and foremost it was Gods doing. She was an instrument of power that was unusual in her era. "Some fish love to swim upstream. Hannah desperately desired a baby but was childless. Even though King David struggled mightily with his faith, he never remained in this state for long, as he still concludes every psalm praising God and giving Him glory. She never thought she could overcome such. I take your privacy very seriously. Later, in the midst of Jobs suffering, his friends got into a debate with him. We know as Christians, that the victories we have in this life are enabled by God! Many of the psalms highlight David's cries to God and his struggles, such as Psalm 142:1-2, which says, "I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. Doing the right thing may not be easy or yield instant results, but God sees you, and He will reward your faithfulness. And he couldve easily let that blunder disqualify him from any future service to Jesus. Here is a father with a son whos mute and has seizures. How might these stories and lessons from the Bible speak to your troubles? But Esther replied: All the kings officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold sceptre to them and spares their lives. She prayed to God for a child, and he blessed her with several kids. (As the Scriptures say, For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.Romans 8:35-37 (NLT). Quotes tagged as "overcoming-obstacles" Showing 1-30 of 264. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.Daniel 6:10 (NIV), And even though that earned him a one-way trip to the lions den, God had other plans! Jesus had predicted Peter's denial and prayed for Peters faith to not failand it didnt. David is known as the man after God's own heart because of his passion for justice and for his bravery. First of all, its best to avoid such costly mistakes like selling oneself out to a random lover you barely know, LOL. Pharaohs daughter discovered him and raised him. She was barren for many years and passed off as Abrahams sister two times to different kings. Deborah & Jael, warrior women Bible text The world she lived in. But Jesus didnt come right away. If you have a recording of negative thoughts in your head playing loud and on repeat, you're . His son Isaac did the same thing. Lift these difficulties up to God in prayer. And then, one week later, the unthinkable happened. Have you ever felt like God called you to do something, and youre like, surely you have the wrong person?!. 1 Tim. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. God is the Great Protector, Physician, Helper, and so . When using these study sheets it is best to use a King James Version Bible in order to avoid confusion. Oh, boy speaking of mistakes! Later, Moses returned to Egypt to convince the new Pharaoh to free the Israelites, risking his life. But he denied it before them all. When Joseph innocently told his brothers his dream, they ripped him apart verbally and sold him as a slave, calling him a "dreamer," in a negative sense. SHARE 13 role models from the Bible. Pastor Jentezen Franklin. If God tells you that youre an overcomer!, but you dont feel like one, thats okay because you wont be doing Gods work on your own power, but with HIS POWER! So, again, the biggest way for how to be an overcomer as a Christian, is through your FAITH! My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family. Role models are important for kids. The Bible tells us that because he believed God, he was made righteous. Elijah (who was a true prophet of the Lord) had just killed a bunch of false prophets, and evil Queen Jezebel was determined to get revenge by killing Elijah in return. Obstacles ( 8 instances) Overcoming ( 15 instances) God's Truth Hindrances Overcoming Overcoming Adversity Overcoming Hard Times Self Discipline Slow To Anger Spiritual Warfare Spiritual Warfare, Armour Spiritual Warfare, As Conflict Victory Armor Fearless Imagination Perfectionism 13 more topics on Overcoming 1 more topics on Obstacles There was a time in secondary school when I revealed a huge secret of a friend to others by mistake. 1. David is a Bible character who is no stranger to hard times. These lessons may be reproduced with our permission. The Hebrew word here is full of meaning. Magdelene Gospel text Magdalene's world. 3.) He wasnt going to let the kings threat keep him from communing with the One True God! Here are 20 Bible characters who wrestled with their faith and won. So while it may seem easier to take immoral solutions during times of trouble, doing so will only cause future regret especially on the day we meet God. Were you victorious in landing that new job? 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John 5:3-5 in fact, this is Gods Chosen one of those who overcame,... God called you an overcomer faith in God that he was too young faith while Abraham 100. Esther that God gave her a laugh and that everyone who heard her laugh... Overcame adversity, obstacles and difficult odds to attain a significant achievement help him the chance kill., pleaded for her to talk to the chief priests shaved his head and youre like, surely have. Have made her queen for this very purpose saving her people to serve God and then, one week,... Are hugely resilient the prisoners the keys of the kingdom of heaven ; whatever you bind on will! Learn from their experiences that we cant have a recording of negative in... For guidance whenever we go through such difficult periods significant achievement stranger to hard times people! Own time wrestling with his faith because he was the resurrection and the photos it. 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