Paul was then transferred to Rome and placed under house arrest for another two years. There, Paul sang to God in worship, until a violent earthquake occurred. Joan of Arc (1412-1431) was a 14-year-old illiterate peasant girl. There's no doubt in anyone's mind we're living in uncertain times. Hi! But, Jesus wasnt going to let that happen! Someone from the Bible who faced similar difficulties is Paul, who lost his freedom and was imprisoned multiple times throughout his ministry. Jesus was the ultimate overcomer, conquering sin and death through his sacrifice on the cross, and his resurrection three days later. Not curse God, as Satan had thought he would. And when I say mistake, I mean, like, a huge sin, the kind that a person regrets for the rest of their life. John had frequent run-ins with the Pharisees. It is a high point in Moses's life. Pastor Jentezen Franklin. 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). When we study the book of Job, we find important principles that can be applied directly to our lives. And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. These overcomers choose to make a way around obstacles. The moral of Job's story is: It's okay to question God or the reasons for why something is happening, but there's no need for us to stay there. When talking about Jesus, he said, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! The story of Gideon in the Bible is . He is close to those who trust in him.". David is known as the man after God's own heart because of his passion for justice and for his bravery. 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. Of course, I also notice themes of perseverance (sticking with it/staying the course), and determination (doing whatever it takes). 2021 The Revelation Media. And in many of his New Testament letters, Paul (formerly known as Saul), wrote about the source of his overcoming. Abigail. The sixth time God promised, Abraham fell face-down and laughed. She was a new queen who lived comfortably with the love of the king. Fear Versus Confidence - Let's look at Bible characters who faced their fears and overcame big challenges. Locally, he loves creating media content through writing. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.Who is it that overcomes the world? The Bible tells us that because he believed God, he was made righteous. 3 And so it was, when Israel . For instance, in the Book of Genesis, the hero Noah builds a vessel and saved animals and his family, even as he watched the rest of the world wash away in a tremendous flood brought forth by God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. May he become famous throughout Israel! His faith moved the Lord God to answer by fire; Elijah killed all the false prophets and then prophesied rain. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the worldour faith. 5. I don't believe in circumstances. See my full disclosures HERE. I take your privacy very seriously. She was a great model of service to people, even in the worst trying of situations. He wants to serve God only. Get some extra encouragement and guidance to focus on Jesus in your everyday life, with this FREE 3-day email series! Deborah illustrates a woman who had confidence in God and aspired to be a beacon to her nation. But God answered his wrestling with empowerment. Perhaps no Bible character has suffered more than Job. Ruth resides in Moab at the start of the Bible, a location with inhabitants whom the Israelites scorned against. ("Even if all fall away, I will not" and "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you."). These can quiet the raging questions of what if, what about, and why. As such, he surely felt the weight of his impending crucifixion, imposing heavily on his mind. (Job 10:1-4). Remind yourself of Gods promises, prayers Hes answered in your life, and your personal history with Him. Thus, while it is difficult to act when afraid, from my experience, it is definitely worth it. Is it True for Christians That 'Once Saved, Always Saved'? Yet not as I will, but as you will.Matthew 26:36-39 (NIV). But even through all those trials, Joseph never wavered in his commitment to God. People who can stay strong and face every difficulty head-on and don't give up easily are hugely resilient. Hannah devoted her newborn Samuel to the Gods. Photo credit:Thinkstock/KatarzynaBialasiewicz. Instead, he praised His name. . Thomas became known as Doubting Thomas because he wrestled with the truth that Jesus rose from the dead. After the seventh time, Sarah laughed, unable to fathom having a child at her age. But whether youve had tons of victories in life, or very few, the Bible says that if you are in Christ, youre an overcomer! }. may the name of the LORD be praised. He was known as a man after Gods own heart, yet David was no stranger to wrestling with his faith. He cries for help to win his faith-wrestling match with the words I believe, help mine unbelief, and Jesus brought the victory. Background to the Story of Gideon. January 15, 2023. The challenges that Nehemiah faced in building the wall are illustrations from God's Word of obstacles and opposition that Christians may face. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.". Jobs story reminds me of this testimony I heard about a Christian couple who lost their children in a traffic accident. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. If you have a recording of negative thoughts in your head playing loud and on repeat, you're . Sarah, Abraham's wife. Jeremiah, known as the weeping prophet, is one of the major prophets in the Bible. He later revealed that it was because I took action so quickly, that we were able to stay friends. It does this by showing us great people who overcame fear and obstacles such as female Bible characters who overcame obstacles. The jailer was about to take his own life, believing the prisoners had escaped, but Paul managed to stop him, assuring him that all the prisoners were present and accounted for. All Building Faith in God Prayer Bible Reading & Study Developing Godly Qualities Imitate Their Faith. Isa 40:3. I love this story. She left him in the sanctuary to worship Jehovah all the years of his lifetime, according to 1 Samuel 1:11. You're asleep. Yet, the Bible character remained a devoted servant: She believed in God and followed His instructions. It seemed that the power would leave the butterfly soon. 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. We have no excuse before God. Job faced greater obstacles than any other biblical figure. And Ruth couldve stayed behind in her native Moab, and easily found a new husband. Wrestling with your faith isnt a sign of weakness, but evidence of your humanity. But the reason for Jonahs wrestling with his faith is made clear in the final chapter of the book using a plant. He had stood for righteousness in a time of great darkness. And one moment where that overcoming is particularly noticeable, is in the garden of Gethsemane. Mary Magdalene was released from satanic obstacles and witnessed Christs resurrection glory. He was pushed to the limit. He wondered, if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Be encouraged, God has called you an overcomer! This next person in our examples of overcomers in the Bible is kind of a mixed bag. But she soon faced a difficult trial: a man named Haman convinced the king to enact a decree, ordering the killing of all Jewish people. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Gideon in the Bible is an Old Testament character everyone can identify with. If their situation did not change, they would all perish. But, even if youve made a thousand mistakes, and youre standing on your last leg, you can still give your life back to God, and finish strong. Sometimes, the best overcomers attitude you can have is to stay the course, even if theres an easier or more appealing path you could take. Updated on April 08, 2020. Dont let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.1 Timothy 4;11-12 (NIV). There was a time in secondary school when I revealed a huge secret of a friend to others by mistake. Verse Concepts. Jesus overcame, and as this more than an overcomer Scripture attests, through Him we can too: Can anything ever separate us from Christs love? Gideons appeal for grace was answered abundantly and he fulfilled his mission as led by the Lord. Here are 20 Bible characters who wrestled with their faith and won. Gideon was sure that God had the wrong person. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a125481cb951f21 Ephesians 6:12 MSG. In Mark 14:26-31, Peter talks about how he would never deny Jesus. Magdalene. David is definitely one of the best examples of overcomers in the Bible! Whenever someone feels down, they look for a motivational quote or inspiration. Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Thomas was not the only disciple to wrestle with the truth of the resurrectionall of the disciples wrestled with believing when Mary and the other women came and told them Jesus was alive in Luke 24:10-11. She was barren for many years and passed off as Abrahams sister two times to different kings. I knew it was not because of my own works, as I had guessed entire sections of multiple-choice questions! Your safety isnt guaranteed. Were you victorious in landing that new job? Elijah is known for prophesying drought and subsequently being fed by ravens and a widow before his epic challenge to the prophets of Baal on Mount Horeb. The wife of El pleaded to God for a son, and in exchange, she swore to devote his life to working with God. All of the disciples go with him. After this, God told him to name the son Isaac (which means laughter). Other books include A Bird Named Payn, and Loves Manifesto. They believed for the future last day but wrestled with the now. It is never easy to make it through difficult phases of life. But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on meand not without results. Ruths faith was impressive, considering such a youthful person of faith. All rights reserved. see 1 Samuel 1:2-2:21. Have you ever felt inadequate, and wondered how or why in the world God would use you for anything? Jesus reminded them that he was the resurrection and the life. Regardless, I pushed through the fear and apologised. But, God! The answer may surprise you! What can we learn from the Bibles imperfect fathers? Each of the six advocates below combines their faith in God with a unique advocacy strategy, and God uses them all powerfully to bring about justice. The LORD answered, I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.Judges 6:14-16 (NIV). Here are three principles you can glean from the book of Nehemiah . Many people are captivated and challenged by Ruths narrative in the Bible. But his wrestling with faith was as human as the labeling of him. Building each other up is what were called to do. And I love it, because it so beautifully illustrates how God cares for us when were completely weary and feel like were out of options. Many characters in the Bible felt this way. Thankfully, we can always turn to Gods word for guidance whenever we go through such difficult periods. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.1 Samuel 17:45-50 (NIV). Sarah, Abraham's wife, laughed at the promise of God and then denied that she laughed. SORT BY. He struggled to believe he could deliver his people from Egypt, and he ran into the wilderness until God appeared to him at the burning bush and called him to do exactly what he had run away from. People in the past made their through obstacles and trials because they did not give up. It was such a simple act, yet it speaks volumes: Zacchaeus, who was a very short man, climbed a tree so he could get above the crowd and see Jesus! Mother Teresa once said, "I'm a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world.". 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. The angel said to the women, Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ), but he still gave God praise. A "chief publican," Zacchaeus might have been of a higher grade than Matthew. Though she was fearful, Esther took action and saved the Jewish people in the end. I myself know the consequences of compromising. Esther Final Thoughts Share this: Our emphasis, this time, would be on female characters who overcame obstacles. Your IP: 1. Check out these 5 Bible characters that faced many failures, but still came out successful next to Jesus. Their stories stress one of the most important lessons of all: Never . His own brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt, where Joseph encountered many hardships. Moses story is one of my favorite examples of overcomers in the Bible, because I can SO relate to his being slow of speech. I have had enough, LORD, he said. David. He denied knowing Jesus with cursing and swearing. What does God say about overcoming obstacles? Proverbs 13:16. If God is real, why doesnt He end our suffering? Lift these difficulties up to God in prayer. We got to rise and do His bidding for He is the one who gives us the strength and ability that we need. Hannah followed through on her commitment. Like a child reaches for a parent when theyre scared, we can choose to reach for God through prayer and worship reminding ourselves Hes bigger than our opponent. Samson was immoral. 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? But then Satan went to God and asked for permission to alter Job's good fortune. Hannahs ardent prayer and fulfilled promise tell us that constancy and continuous prayer can gain Gods notice. Ready now? The Bible can be thought of as a book containing stories of people who have achieved in spite of obstacles. The Female character, too, lost her spouse without having children, leading others to believe she was barren. 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. So let us all trust in God and turn to Him. Overcoming Challenges Quotes. His harvest the hungry devourAnd take it to a place of thorns,And the schemer is eager for their wealth. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. He ate and drank and then lay down again. He was unjustly accused, imprisoned, and finally, after many years, he became second-in-command to Pharaoh. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes. Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. There, Paul sang to God in worship, until a violent earthquake occurred. 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. The Bible says that Caleb 'completely followed the *Lord'. Here are five of these individuals, and some takeaways we can learn from them. 4:12. Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.. You wake up to a bright light in the middle of the room. However, I noticed that if I participated in teasing others with them, they would befriend me. 1 John 5:3-5 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. That was what happened to queen Esther. They were free at last! (1 Samuel chapter 17) David was scrawny while Goliath towered over all at 9 ft 9 in. Talking is not my strong suit, and on top of that Im shy and introverted. There was a time in primary school when I was bullied by several classmates. A few of the factors she distinguished were her religious as well as political competence. My friend was angry, but we were able to make amends. But, she refused to abandon Naomi! This is a spam-free zone. Stratgey #7 - Overcome Obstacles by Seeking Strength and Wisdom from God "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. David wrestled with his faith after Nabal treated his men improperly. Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth. He denied it again, with an oath: I dont know the man! After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away. Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, I dont know the man! Immediately a rooster crowed. 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