Overcoming in Gods eyes, is not just about achieving goals its about keeping your faith in Christ, and persevering through trials. Just goes to show, that if God has a purpose for you to fulfill, even if you feel like you cant continue on any further, He will provide the strength you need. Here are three women in the Bible who can teach us a thing or two about taking risks. 3 And so it was, when Israel . Even if you feel like a failure much of the time (speaking from experience here), you still long to overcome whatever obstacles are standing in your way. 4: Do Your Research. Sure, he lamented (quite a lot, in fact! They were free from bondage and ready for a new life in a new land. And with God's help, Moses successfully leads his people out of Egypt, free of bondage. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times. And he went outside and wept bitterly.Matthew 26:69-75 (NIV). He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty. Theres no shame in getting help. Pharaohs daughter discovered him and raised him. When we feel scared or uncertain, we can turn to Scripture and the Lord for guidance and strength. Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, had just lost their husbands. And, I have seen and I testify that this is Gods Chosen One.. God. Winning a good faith wrestling match can even make you stronger. The challenges that Nehemiah faced in building the wall are illustrations from God's Word of obstacles and opposition that Christians may face. Psa 18:32. Even though I knew it was wrong, I compromised to save myself, and regret that decision to this day. Indeed, Peter went on to become instrumental in building the early Christian church! The Bible can be thought of as a book containing stories of people who have achieved in spite of obstacles. One of the original twelve disciples of Jesus, Peter is known for his boldness. But, what exactly does that mean, to be an overcomer in Christ? Too often we let the slightest obstruction get in the way of our walk with Christ. 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). So, what did Daniel do? The bible is filled with so many words of encouragement for those who are experiencing discouragement. Again, when Ziklag was destroyed, his wives were carried off and his men talked about stoning him. For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes! Jesus had predicted Peter's denial and prayed for Peters faith to not fail, "when you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. Elijah had given his whole life into the service of the Lord. So, whats the moral of this story? A voice of one is calling out,"Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness [remove the obstacles ];Make straight and smooth in the desert a highway for our God. 1 Peter 5:7 NLT. David. The obstacle is the way. Building each other up is what were called to do. Despite getting revised numerous times, she continues to be a dominant feminine character. That was what happened to queen Esther. While queen Esther was Jewish, she had been hiding her identity. Ive listed them in order of their appearance in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Being a disciple of Jesus doesnt automatically make one a faith giant. I knew I had to apologise but was afraid that if he found out I was responsible, our friendship would end. In the last two verses of Psalm 27 David wrote: "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. God was testing Moses and his people to see how they would react at having no water in their new land. for more information about a specific community. Is it True for Christians That 'Once Saved, Always Saved'? I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be. Like, well, I guess maybe God doesnt exist after all, or Gods abandoning me, so Im just going to abandon my faith in Him. And somehow, Hes with me every step of the way, just as He was with Moses, Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt. But Moses said to God, Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt? He said, But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.Exodus 3:10-12 (NIV), But Moses said to the LORD, Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue. Then the LORD said to him, Who has made mans mouth? Queen Esther (Esther 1-10) When Esther's story begins, she and her people are living as exiles in Persia. SORT BY. We ended last week with a high point in the lives of the sons of Israel and Moses. The Lord responded with compassion by feeding him, correcting him in grace and giving him a new purpose before he was taken to heaven on a chariot of fire. Eleven years passed after Gods promise for a child, and her wrestling led her to a bad plan that ended in the birth of Ishmael. Deuteronomy 31:6,8 Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the Lord your God who goes before you. If youre new here, be sure and subscribe to my list so you wont miss anything! "At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. We must remember, even though Jesus is God, he was also fully human as he walked among us on earth. Case in point, is the time when King Darius decreed that anyone who prayed to any other god or human besides the king, would be thrown into the lions den. But when he found himself in jail, he questioned if Jesus was really the Messiah. In Philippi, Paul was accused of anti-Roman teachings and got thrown in prison. He was massive. Heres another Bible character who God journeyed with through tough times. But, unfortunately, many common biblical representations of Mary Magdalene do not do her tale respect or reflect her integrity as a sincere follower of Jesus. There was a time in primary school when I was bullied by several classmates. 'How Great Thou Art' By Carrie Underwood with Vince Gill, Jesus on Adultery: Its More Controversial Than You Think, 'You Raise Me Up' Duet Earns A Standing Ovation From The Judges, 10 Things Your Husband Wishes You Would Say to Him, 30 Morning Prayers to Start Each Day with God, 3 Bad Church Approaches to Good Money Stewardship, 5 Critical Rules to Teach Your Kids to Help Them Stay Safe, 4 Things You Should Know about Jesus Revolution, This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. 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. The story of Jonah is known for many things, including how Jonah ran away when God called him to preach the destruction of Nineveh, the big fish that swallowed him, how he was spit up onto dry land and finally obeyed, and how Jesus referred to him as a sign. We can overcome these obstacles. Focus on who we are in Him 4. It was Peter who was commended by Jesus for receiving the revelation from the Father that Jesus was the Son of the Living God. 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 ). If so, you might relate to this next example! All at once an angel touched him and said, Get up and eat. He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. 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. Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it.. The Bible has many great examples of individuals who journeyed through tough times with God by their side. Nephi: Giving in to Temptation. This gives me great hope. Mary, Jesus mother, is among the Bibles most significant adored female characters, and several belief her to have been the holiest among all Christian martyrs. Jesus was the ultimate overcomer, conquering sin and death through his sacrifice on the cross, and his resurrection three days later. There are plenty of Bible characters who could serve as role models for kids. And so I clung to Bible verses about trials and hard times and I again, chose to count it all joy. Your IP: Go back with her. But Ruth replied, Dont urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Overcoming Challenges Quotes. 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. bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.Matthew 16:18-19 (NIV). Jesus knew he really wasnt. Jochebed, Moses mother, and Miriam protected Moses by concealing him in the rushes at the lakes side. All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. He wanted to make it clear that his transformation was not solely from his own effort, but first and foremost it was Gods doing. 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! As if to say, Here I am Lord! Theres the tree of finding time for Bible study in a busy schedule. Its important to point out the grace of God for those who wrestle. As Paul neared the end of his life, he reflected on having kept the faith, and the reward he (and each of us) anticipate: For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. Hannah followed through on her commitment. Your donation will go to funding the generation of more faith-based content to sow into the digital domain. Did you manage to tweak your budget, just enough to squeak by and pay your bills? And, what good advice this is for all of us! Just DO IT, and dont worry about what other people think do a great job, set a great example, and ultimately youll gain respect for that. And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. Jesus won everything for us in his wrestling match. See what Jesus says about it, in Revelation, He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] will accordingly be dressed in white clothing; and I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, and I will confess and openly acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels [saying that he is one of Mine].Revelation 3:5 (AMP), The one who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat with My Father on His throne.Revelation 3:21 (NASB). So Pharaoh said to Joseph, I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Josephs finger. Jesus overcame, and as this more than an overcomer Scripture attests, through Him we can too: Can anything ever separate us from Christs love? These eight Bible characters overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles to overcome trials and tribulations of their own. The women said to Naomi: Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. Hannah is one of the Bibles most acceptable and remarkable female characters and one of the most recognizable women who overcame obstacles. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.". The Bible tells us that because he believed God, he was made righteous. In Philippi, Paul was accused of anti-Roman teachings and got thrown in prison. They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord. Were you victorious in landing that new job? When King Darius went to check on Daniel the next morning, he found quite the surprise, as Daniel explained to him how he was still alive, My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. "CONCERNED BUT NOT CONSUMED!". 2. February 05, 2023. But we must remember that our questions don't change who God is or His plan for our lives. Click to reveal You're asleep. She knew that she had overcome pain as a child, and that she had the resilience within her to face new challenges. She prayed to God for a child, and he blessed her with several kids. Deborah, Israels prophet and judge, is famed for her intelligence, bravery, and humane thirst for truth. Gideon was fearful. 2. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. Daniel is one of those noble overcomers like Joseph he was so diligent in doing what was right, even at great personal risk! Esther demonstrated heroic qualities by risking her head to preserve the survival of her community. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.Daniel 6:22 (NIV). She was a conscientious woman in the Bible that stood eager to commit to the welfare of everyone else before her own. People who can stay strong and face every difficulty head-on and don't give up easily are hugely resilient. But when Jesus was arrested, Peter wrestled between faith and fear. Here are three examples of Bible characters who failed to protect their families: 1. Yeah, me too. And thats exactly how Moses felt about the situation, when God picked him to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. We need to possess the same desire. Someone from the Bible who faced similar difficulties is Paul, who lost his freedom and was imprisoned multiple times throughout his ministry. Described as, " an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband was surly and mean in his dealings" (1 Samuel 25:3), Abigail carried herself with dignity and integrity despite her circumstances. After this, the Bible tells us that Peter thinks he is unworthy and returns to his old life as a fisherman. Reach for help. Get updates via e-mail (freebies, too) Get my latest blog updates + encouragement, PLUS a free e-book and printable wall art! He felt God had abandoned them, but cried out for favor. Danielle Bernock writes about overcoming the effects of childhood and emotional trauma through the power of the love of God. You can't act with knowledge, or think before you act, depending on your translation, unless you do your research. For more information or to connect with Danielle go here: https://www.daniellebernock.com/, Photo credit:Thinkstock/beerphotographer, 9 Christians You Don't Want to Sit Beside on Sunday Morning, 7 Ways Anxiety Dominates the Christian Mind, 7 Tests to See if Your Worship Is Truly Christian or Pagan. They are you and me, having persevered through life, and held tightly to our faith! "God is strong, and he wants you strong. You probably know the one Im talking about, Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Instead of answering his question, God asked Job if he understood the workings of the complex universe like He does. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. Be encouraged! But soon enough, problems occurred: three days had passed and they could not find drinkable water. Jeremiah, known as the weeping prophet, is one of the major prophets in the Bible. David saw the good hand of God throughout his own life. And then, one week later, the unthinkable happened. We love seeing stories of people who battled back from illness, who overcame poverty, became the first in their family to graduate from college, or achieved a seemingly impossible feat. ("Even if all fall away, I will not" and "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you."). What does it mean to be an overcomer? 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). He is with you. And not only that, but Naomi was blessed by her daughter-in-law as well. Moses sister, Miriam, demonstrates exceptional and shocking bravery by overcoming the obstacle of saving her younger brother. 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