     Obstacles are a part of life everyone encounters them. They may come in the form of financial reverses, family problems, spiritual challenges, or physical ailments. But one thing is certain, obstacles will come into our lives.
But why? Why do we have to endure obstacles? How do they add value to our lives? And why does God allow Christians to endure obstacles? As an answer consider the following story.
A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly struggle to force its body through the small hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and was not able to escape. So the man decided to help the butterfly He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly emerged easily. But had a swollen body, and small, shriveled wings.
The man continued to watch because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly never was able to fly. It crawled around on its swollen body and crippled wings then finally died.
What the man did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to emerge through the tiny opening was God’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready to fly once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon. In his kindness to remove the obstacle, the butterfly was crippled and unable to fly.
Sometimes obstacles are exactly what we need to grow stronger. James admonished “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (Jas.1:2-4, NASU)
     If God allowed us to go through life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as we could have been. The obstacles in our lives, as unpleasant as they may seem at the moment, have the potential to produce patience, perseverance and power. They generate growth and help us mature.
An unknown author expressed it this way.
    I asked God for strength and he gave me the difficulties to make me strong.
        I asked for wisdom and He gave me problems to solve.
        I prayed for prosperity and God gave me the brain and brawn to work.
        I requested courage, and He gave me danger to overcome.
        I asked for love and God gave me troubled people to help.
        I prayed for favors and God gave me opportunities.
        I received nothing I wanted, but I received everything I needed.
        Thank God for your obstacles. They will make you stronger.
—Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
ThePreachersWord 
Very good Ken. I can apply these thoughts. Thanks for taking the time to formulating these thoughts and ideas. Have a great day! All my best!!!
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Thanks Phil for reading, taking the time to comment and for your kind words. God bless, brother!
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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How timely, Ken, thank you. I’ve prayed hard for the Lord to grant the blessings He would have for us; the things we don’t even know how to ask; and the results have been one struggle after the other. This weekend, many things came to light, clearing our understanding and lifting our burdens…and revealing those blessings God had in mind. Our energy has been restored to face the big C which has hit Gene. He will be getting help at MD Anderson starting this week. We are truly hopeful as we have caught it early. Our brethren have rallied, of course, and prayers of many have ascended. Thank you for your daily words of encouragement! We solicit your and Norma’s prayers, as well. Thanks!
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Thank you Aleta for sharing your burden with us and the readers of ThePreachersWord. Norma and I will keep you and Gene in our prayers. Here’s praying that the correct protocol will be administered and that Gene will respond and that God will provide help, healing and hope in the midst of this struggle. God bless. We love you. Ken & Norma Jean
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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Thank you!
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WONDERFUL MESSAGE TODAY THAT SURELY APPLIES TO US ALL. I KNOW WHEN I WAS YOUNG I WAS SUCH A BABE IN CHRIST. THEN AFTER CHILDREN AND MANY ILLNESSES WITH THEM, I SURELY DID BECOME MUCH MORE COMPASSIONATE. THEN AS MY ILLNESS INTENSIFIED, I COULDN’T WAIT TO FEEL BETTER SO I COULD ADMINISTER TO OTHERS IN MY SITUATION. DURING OUR TIME OF STRUGGLES, WE ASK WHY, BUT NOW AS WE HAVE ENDURED AND BECOME STRONGER, WE KNOW WHY.
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Thanks for sharing you experiences, Billie! Good points.
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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I have been working with this theme lately. (Not so much as a writing prompt, but in life in general). Seems like when God has a message for me lately, I have been getting plenty of confirmation through the blogs I read all carrying similar messages.
Thank you for sharing.
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Great lesson and reminder.
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I was truly inspired and moved by this blog. I guess sometimes we don’t realize it but we get exactly what we ask for. Thank you for reminding me that God’s blessings can come in many different ways!!
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Reblogged this on ThePreachersWord and commented:
I’m on my annual anniversary blogging break. So, I’m not writing any new posts, but reblogging some past posts. Here’s one from 5 years ago, that has universal application. For all times. And for all people.
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I truly enjoyed reading the repost blog this morning, it has so much meaning. If only we realized the obstacles in our lives are there for a purpose, to help us grow. Thanks for the repost and enjoy your break.
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A wonderful God, who displays His strengths in weaknesses!
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