I am still learning. I have to realize this. I do not know everything there is to know and I NEVER will. I do know that.
I believe that life is full of challenges from God. I know that these challenges are not meant to bring us down, but help us overcome.
It's like climbing a mountain. The terrain is full of obstacles to overcome. The goal is to reach the top and the top is where everyone wants to be. Most inexperienced climbers will have some sort of guide or map to make it up the mountain, whether it be a book or actual person. Some people choose to go at it alone. Most of those people find it very difficult to climb without any sort of knowledge or preparation. But the most people will find it much easier to rely on the guide for, well, guidance!
God throws all sorts of obstacles our way. I think that the things that God throws are things that we do that might not be according to His will so He tries to make us aware of that. For example, a career path that you might want to pursue. The key word here is want to pursue. We want a lot of things. I want a lot of things, but we need to be aware of what God has planned for us. You can do whatever you want. God has given you that choice, but He knows what is best for us and the things that we should be doing. Be aware that if things are not working out according to your plan, take a step back, and look at it from a different point of view. Ask yourself, "Is this what I am SUPPOSED to be doing?" as opposed to "Is this what I WANT to do?" These can be two very different things.
The obstacles that satan throws are very different than the obstacles that God places in our lives. You see, I think that satan distracts you from your goal, and then that becomes an obstacle to overcome. (Wanting VS Needing) Satan can throw things at you to distract your eyes from the goal. Perhaps he throws things in your direction that you spend money on, that maybe you should not be spending money on. Or perhaps satan leads you to places that you shouldnt be in. Or maybe he puts things in front of your eyes that distract you from the ultimate goal. These little distractions, that may look good, or feel good, or sound good can quickly become your focus.
So the difference between God's obstacles and Satan's obstacles is very simple. God wants you to learn and overcome. Satan wants you to be torn down and led astray.
God says that he will never throw an obstacle our way that is too much to overcome. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
God, however, will take you to the breaking point. He will allow you to suffer all the way up until you reach your hand out to that guide. Imagine yourself struggling all of your life. Everything you do seems to lead to nowhere and everything around you is falling apart. Your climbing that mountain side and slip, fall to your knees, grab the earth under you to hold on long enough to ask for help. At that moment you are rescued from your eternal fall by your guide.
Jesus can be your guide through the uphill battle we call life. With his map (Bible) we can climb the mountain being pushed and pulled by our saviour, Jesus Christ.
