"Obstacles or Opportunities: The Choice is Yours"

Have you ever felt like your mind is always buzzing with ideas? You might be sitting in class, walking home, or just lying in bed, and suddenly, a new idea pops into your head. For some people, like me, this happens all the time. It’s almost like having a never-ending stream of ideas, and while this can be exciting, it can also feel overwhelming.

Sometimes, having so many ideas makes me wonder if it’s a blessing or a challenge. It’s a blessing because I always have something new to think about, but it can also feel like I’m not focused enough, like I’m constantly jumping from one thing to another without really finishing anything. Does this ever happen to you?

In today’s blog post, I want to talk about something that many of us experience, especially when we’re trying to make decisions or start something new: obstacles. Whenever we have a new idea or plan, there are often challenges that pop up and try to block our path. These obstacles can make us feel stuck or unsure if we should even try to move forward.

But here’s something important to remember: obstacles are not always bad. In fact, sometimes they can be opportunities in disguise. It all depends on how we choose to look at them. Let me share a story from the Bible that I read recently, which really helped me see this in a new way.

The Story of the Three Women

One morning, I woke up and decided to read my Bible, which is something I’ve been trying to do every day. On this particular day, I was reading from the book of Mark, chapters 14 to 16. As I read through chapter 16, I came across a story about three women: Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James), and Salome.

These three women were followers of Jesus, and after He was crucified, they wanted to go to His tomb to anoint His body with spices. However, there was a big obstacle in their way—a huge stone that had been rolled in front of the tomb. This stone was so large that the women couldn’t move it on their own.

Now, you might think that knowing about this stone would have stopped them from even trying. They could have easily said, “What’s the point? We can’t move the stone, so why bother going?” But that’s not what they did. Instead, they planned, prepared, and set out early in the morning to do what they needed to do. It wasn’t until they were almost at the tomb that they started discussing how they would move the stone.

And guess what happened when they arrived? The stone had already been rolled away! The very thing they were worried about had been taken care of before they even got there.

Lessons from the Story

As I read this story, it made me think about how often I let obstacles stop me from moving forward with my ideas. For example, I’ve always wanted to start a YouTube channel. I’ve had this idea for more than a decade, but I kept running into obstacles. I’d tell myself, “I don’t have the right equipment,” “I don’t speak like those famous YouTubers,” and a bunch of other reasons why I couldn’t do it. So, I never started.

It wasn’t until this year that I finally said to myself, “I’m going to do it regardless of those obstacles.” I realized that if I kept waiting for everything to be perfect, I’d never start. And guess what? I’ve finally taken that first step, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me.

How many times have you thought about doing something but let obstacles stop you? Maybe it’s starting a YouTube channel like me, or maybe it’s something else entirely. Whatever it is, don’t let fear or doubt hold you back.

Overcoming the Fear of Obstacles

One of the biggest reasons we let obstacles stop us is fear. Fear of failure, fear of not being good enough, fear of the unknown. But here’s the thing: fear is a natural part of life. Everyone experiences it, even the most successful people in the world. The difference is that they don’t let fear stop them. They move forward despite their fears, and that’s what makes all the difference.

Let’s say you have an idea for a school project, a new hobby, or even a business. It’s easy to get excited about it at first, but then the doubts start to creep in. “What if I fail?” “What if people laugh at me?” “What if I don’t know where to start?” These questions can be paralyzing, but they don’t have to be.

Instead of focusing on what you don’t have or what might go wrong, focus on what you do have and what could go right. Take small steps toward your goal, and don’t worry about figuring everything out all at once. Just like the three women in the story, start with what you know and what you can do, and trust that the rest will fall into place.

Finding Strength in Faith

For many people, including myself, faith plays a big role in overcoming obstacles. When we trust that there is a bigger plan at work, it becomes easier to move forward, even when the path ahead isn’t clear. In the story of the three women, their faith gave them the courage to take action, even though they didn’t have all the answers.

If you have faith, whether it’s in God, in yourself, or in the support of your friends and family, lean on it when you face obstacles. Believe that you have what it takes to overcome challenges, and that even when things seem impossible, there is always a way forward.

Practical Steps to Move Forward

So, how can you start applying these lessons to your own life? Here are a few practical steps you can take when you’re facing obstacles:

1. Identify the obstacle: What is the thing that’s standing in your way? Is it a lack of resources, fear of failure, or something else? Understanding the obstacle is the first step to overcoming it.

2. Focus on what you can do: Instead of getting stuck on what you can’t do, think about what you can do right now. It might be a small step, but every small step gets you closer to your goal.

3. Make a plan: Just like the three women in the story, make a plan for how you’re going to move forward. Even if you don’t have all the details figured out, having a plan gives you direction and helps you stay focused.

4. Take action: Once you have a plan, take action. Don’t wait for everything to be perfect or for all the obstacles to disappear. Start with what you have and trust that the rest will work out.

5. Stay positive: It’s easy to get discouraged when things don’t go as planned, but try to stay positive. Remember that obstacles are a normal part of life, and every challenge you face is an opportunity to learn and grow.

   
   

Conclusion: Embrace Your Ideas and Move Forward

If you’re anything like me, you have a lot of ideas swirling around in your head. Some of them might seem impossible, and others might feel too big to handle. But remember, every great idea started with someone taking the first step, even when the path wasn’t clear.

Don’t let obstacles stop you from pursuing your ideas and dreams. Whether it’s a lack of resources, fear of failure, or something else, there is always a way to move forward. Be like the three women in the story—plan, prepare, and take action, even when the obstacles seem overwhelming. You might just find that the biggest obstacles aren’t as big as they seem.

And who knows? Your next idea could be the one that changes your life or even the world. But you’ll never know if you don’t try. So go ahead, embrace your ideas, take that first step, and trust that the path will unfold before you. You’ve got this!

Also, if you’re interested in following my journey as I finally launch my YouTube channel, I’d love your support! Please like, share, and subscribe to my channel here.

Your support means the world to me and will help me continue to create content that inspires and motivates. Thank you!