Roadblocks Lead to Opportunity

ROADBLOCKS LEAD TO OPPORTUNITY

Driving down the road, you realize your appointment is in 20 minutes. At your present speed you will make it. But suddenly up ahead you see a roadblock. By taking the detour you won’t make it on time. Angry and upset, you fume as you pass down unfamiliar roads. However, you see a unique store that would be a great place to shop. You also notice a picturesque park, a great place for a church picnic-and you guessed it-you’re only six minutes late for your appointment. You realize roadblocks can lead to opportunities.

Do you react like that driver when things don’t go the way you planned? Do you get angry because you’re not in control? Or do you take it in stride and look for the best in every situation? If we accept that God is in control of life’s twists and turns, we’ll discover they are exactly what we need. In fact, we will acknowledge that the course we originally charted may have ended up at a brick wall. There are numerous examples in Scripture to support these findings.

Do you recall the story of Joseph beginning in Genesis 37? Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery. Initially, Joseph was obviously not happy with this turn of events. But later on, Joseph’s dilemma became a blessing for him and his family. Joseph eventually became a high ranking official in Egypt, and years later he was able to save his brothers, family, and entire nations from starvation (Genesis 47:11,12).

In the Book of Job, Job lost almost all that he had, including his children, wealth, health, and peace of mind. Through this experience Job learned many valuable lessons. Job said “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you” (Job 42:5). “Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters…After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. So Job died, old and full of days” (Job 42:12,13,16,17).

Another example is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In order to create a way for mankind to gain eternal life, Jesus had to suffer a painful death. Jesus knew He was going to die, yet He did not quit. “And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:44, NKJV).

Enduring the physical and mental anguish, Jesus kept the end results in mind-salvation for mankind.

I have heard a number of stories from church members who quit their jobs because they wanted to keep the Sabbath or the Holy Days. Obeying God and stepping out in faith proved a blessing-many found better jobs. Another member learned he had cancer. The prognosis was not good. Thinking in positive terms, he realized he could be a catalyst to get other members of his family to quit smoking.

Recently I saw a TV program telling the story of a teenage boy who was able to help his family survive a boating accident during a storm. Before this opportunity arose the teenager seemed like just a regular guy. But the near tragedy brought out the best in the young man and his family survived the accident despite the loss of one of his father’s legs.

The key thing to keep in mind when roadblocks come into your life is to remember you are in it for the long haul. By remaining calm you can overcome anything with the power of God (Philippians 4:6-7). Going through problems and roadblocks builds patience and character in each of us (Romans 5:1-5).

Many young people experience unbearable anguish in their relationships with the opposite sex. When your first love happens and then rejection hits, you feel like you’ve crashed headfirst into a major roadblock. Don’t get too down about it. Realize that God will send someone else who you will love (and who will love you) just as He intended. Getting involved in new interests or activities will help get your mind off your lost love. Remember that life isn’t always a bowl of cherries. Sometimes your bowl of cherries is full of pits. By looking for the silver lining in all your bad circumstances, you will always find something good in the bad.

So the next time you run into a roadblock keep in mind some of the things you have read. Don’t forget the Kingdom of God will come to this world soon. That knowledge should be enough to sustain you through any temporary problems in life.