How to Experience Breakthrough When You’re Overcome with Obstacles
No one could have anticipated the devastation that was about to take place.
It all happened so quickly.
We knew it was coming, but we never imagined that it would be as bad as it was. This wasn’t the first time we experienced storms in South Louisiana. Although Hurricane Katrina ripped through our state nearly 10 years ago, the scars are still fresh.
We still remember the sights.
Houses underwater, people sitting on roofs, being rescued by helicopters, cars floating down the street. The images were heartbreaking.  This time around has been the same, but on a much smaller scale. I’ve heard story after story of complete devastation over the past few days. Loss of property, loss of life, loss of security.
How do you breakthrough and overcome obstacles?
How do we find the good, when everything looks dreary?
If anyone could give us advice during times like these, it’s Noah.
He knew a thing or two about floods.
Although it was a blessing that God saved him, he still had to move, devastation surrounded him and there was no definite end of it in sight. Not to mention having to put up with stinky animals…. and humans too. (I’m sure there were no cleaning facilities on that boat!) As I reread Noah’s story, I found several keys that can sustain us in times of trouble.
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.  Genesis 6:8
It’s interesting that the Bible doesn’t say that the Lord favored Noah.
It says Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
How could he find grace in the Lord’s eyes, unless he was looking into the eyes of the Lord?
That is our first key:
Keep Our Eyes on the Lord.
When our situations become more than we can bare, keeping our eyes on Him will give us His perspective. Many times my view in these situations can be reactive… I feel the need to do something to make the situation better. That is not always God’s way. When we keep our focus on Him, He will guide us and give us grace in our time of need.
And God remembered Noah… Â Genesis 8:1
God had not forgotten about Noah.
No, His eyes had been on Noah the entire time.
The same is true for us.
God Has Not Forgotten Us.
He knows our situation. He’s aware of what we need and when we need it. When we are struggling, we may feel like God is nowhere in sight. We may not hear His voice or sense His presence.
Noah probably felt the same way. (The Bible doesn’t mention that God spoke to him during his one year cruise on the ark). When we don’t hear God’s voice, there may be a tendency for us to feel like we’ve done something wrong.
Perhaps it’s not that we are doing anything wrong, but that we have all the information we need.
Noah had God’s word.
He told him what was to take place. He was given everything he needed to know.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Sometimes we don’t need more info, we need to trust.” quote=”Sometimes we don’t need more info, we need to trust.”]
Noah’s job was to have faith that God was working things out for his good.
Our job is the same:
Trust In The Lord.
Then he sent out a dove to see if the water had receded from the surface of the ground. But the dove could find nowhere to perch because there was water over all the surface of the earth; so it returned to Noah in the ark. He reached out his hand and took the dove and brought it back to himself in the ark. Genesis 8:8-9
Noah chose to do something small, but very significant:
Invite The Holy Spirit Into The Situation.
Many places in scripture refer to the dove as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. In this case, Noah didn’t wait for the Holy Spirit to just fall on him, but he put his faith in action and extended his arm to invite Him in.
We can choose to do the same in the midst of our overwhelming obstacles. We can invite the Holy Spirit to guide us and show us what to do. Laying down the why’s and the what if’s, we can rely on Him to empower us and bring us through.
Obstacles are a part of life.
None of us are immune to them. However, as believers in Christ can have peace in the midst of the storms. As we continue to look to Him, trust in His word and invite the Holy Spirit into our circumstances, we can overcome any obstacle that comes our way.
Can we pray together?
Father, I thank You for Your faithfulness. The loss and devastation that many are facing right now is overwhelming. Fill us with Your hope today, Lord. Give us a glimpse of what you see for our futures. We are confident that ALL things work out for our good, for we are called according to Your purposes. It may look dreary now, but our confidence is not in our ability to fix things. We stand firm, believing that You will show up on our behalf! You are Mighty to Save!
Where there seems no provision to fix our circumstances, we thank you that You will make a way. You are Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides, even before we know what we need. We rest in Your ability to take care of us. Nothing is too big or too disasterous for You to redeem. Above all else Lord, mend our hearts. Let us not lose faith in You. Give us Your perspective, trusting You through every step of the process. Calm our fears, Lord. Give us rest- mind, body, soul & spirit. Protect our hearts. Rise up within us Holy Spirit and give us the strength to endure. Thank you Lord, that you are sending laborers to encourage us. Sustain your people, Oh Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Inviting the Holy Spirit is a must. I love this post; it has me singing in quiet worship, “Holy Spirit you are welcome here. Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere…” So good. Thank you for bringing that peace to the linkup at Open Mic Monday for the soul at Cisneros Cafe. I always look forward to y’all linkups and yours is one of my favorites. <3
I LOVE that song! One of my favorites! Thank you so much Carolina! I love reading your posts. They are always authentic and relatable. I look forward to linking up every week with you!
Great post!! He is Mighty to Save– a due word in season and out!! Refreshing!!
Thanks, Jennifer!
It never ceases to amaze me how everyone has challenges and that they are utterly unique. I love your four tips on overcoming and working through a challenge…It often can feel like we have been abandoned by Heavenly father but I guess these are the times he is right by our side and watching our every move. x
You are so right Jade! We all have unique challenges, but the same Heavenly Father who guides us through them. Thanks for visiting today!
“We. Can invite the Holy Spirit to show us what to do………” I. Love this, and I love your faith through this difficult time. How often do I sit and puzzle over possible solutions without simply praying for the Spirit’s guidance? #allthetime Thanks for the motivation to focus my prayers even more. I pray for you and your community. How swiftly the power of God’s creation in nature can change our course.
Happy Tuesday!!!!
Megs
You are right about that Meg! We expected the rain to cause flooding, but never expected the lakes and rivers to spillover and cause the devastation that it did. God is good though! He is faithful and watches over us! Thanks for praying
I loved your prayer! It’s so powerful to agree with the truth of God’s word as we pray. Emotions can overwhelm us but focusing on what God says about our situation brings peace in the storm. Thank you for writing. I’m visiting from the Intentional Tuesday Linkup.
Thanks Angela! I totally agree. When we pray God’s word we can expect great things! Thanks for stopping by today!
Excellent insights into the story of Noah! I love when one of our sister bloggers takes us into a story which exposes us to fresh truth or an expansion of what we have known and seen. I have been watching the news about the floods in LA and have been so concerned for everyone there. May the Lord truly give you grace and faith for this season and provide ways for you to strengthen and encourage others as well during this hard time.
Thanks Pam! I love when God gives fresh insight into a story were so familiar with! Thanks for praying, we are all grateful for the prayers!!!
Amen, Alisa. He is mighty to save!
Thank you for this reminder: “keeping our eyes on Him will give us His perspective.”
Thanks for stopping by Crystal!
Wow, this is so helpful because it goes counter to all our natural reflexes. Thanks for the call to live in faith – not by sight. So often the evidence says exactly the opposite of the truth God wants me to rest in.
Alisa these are such great reminders and I love how you took our storms and compared them to Noah’s. I can’t imagine the devastation you watched in LA. We’ve experienced much as we watched neighbors less than a mile away the day after Christmas have a tornado take their homes. One couple has been living with my son and family since then waiting on their home to be rebuilt.
Beautiful words today and loved your prayer.
Thanks Debbie! This was our first year really experiencing tornado threats. I can’t even imagine having them come through! Praying for those in your area affected by storms as well, that God would supernaturally bless them with peace, a house, whatever they need, in Jesus’ name. Amen! Thank you for visiting today.
Good point about the way to find grace/favor in the eyes of the Lord… that is, you actually have to be looking at HIM. Too often we’re looking at everything but Him and then wonder why we’ve lost our intimacy! Thanks for the post!
So true, Karen! Thanks for stopping by today!
Trust in God; trust in God; trust in God. This truth is so life-changing. I do it in bits and pieces, but want to get better and better at trusting the one who is so faithful. I’m so sorry about the flooding in Louisiana again. We had a group leave from here in Alabama yesterday to go offer help. Praying it won’t be too devastating to the families affected there!
Oh Yes, Lisa! It’s a daily surrender for me too! Thank you for praying!
How could Noah have found grace in the eyes of the Lord, unless he was looking into His eyes? That’s such a beautiful observation that I’ve never thought about! Alisa, your blog is beautiful. I look forward to getting to know you better in CBB. God bless you!
What an inspiring post, Alisa. I love the way you took a real life current situation and related it to the story of Noah – with such applicable points! Keep writing, sweet sister! You are gifted indeed!
Love and Blessings to you!
Thanks Leigh Ellen!
What a sweet and gentle reminder to keep our eyes on God (loved your analogy of Noah’s eyes looking at God), trust Him, invite the Holy Spirit, and remember that God has not forgotten us!
(“Year-long cruise” – LOL!)
I’m sure Noah felt a bit down in the dumps with all that filthy stench and nowhere to go. These are great reminders that God did not forget Noah, nor will He forget us!
Thanks for linking with us each week at Tuesday Talk, Alisa – I’m featuring this post as one of my top 3 next Tuesday! Powerful truths. Thanks for the reminders, you made me think – and thank!r
Thanks Ruthie! I’m honored that you would feature this post. Thank the Lord He doesn’t forget us, even when we feel forgotten!
Alisa, I really appreciate this post: your thoughtful Bible study of Noah’s story and principles for us. I love that reminder to invite the Holy Spirit in. So easy, yet I often forget. And I’m so sorry for all the devastation in Louisiana.
Thanks Betsy! Things are definitely starting to look up. We are definitely feeling the prayers down here!
I am so sorry for the devastation that is going on there. I have a friend in Bon Weir, TX and know she is looking to God for His strength and care.
These ways to meet our various challenges are the same four no matter what the challenge, aren’t they? God hears us and knows where we are and what we are going through. I hold you and all those along the Sabine River and around it in my prayers.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Thanks so much for your prayers Linda! I think Texas has been hit pretty hard as well. I know the interstate between La & Tx has been shut down. Praying for your friends and everyone being affected by these storms!
So happy to be your neighbor at Barbie’s today. I appreciate your points taken from the life of Noah!
Just what I needed this morning. I especially love, “How could he find grace in the Lord’s eyes, unless he was looking into the eyes of the Lord?” Oh this made me think of my hard days when I am striving to rest in His grace. I’ve realized that often times I’ve looked away from His eyes of love. Blessings and so thankful you linked up to the Weekend Whispers community.
I’m so glad it encourages you this morning Barbie! Thank you for providing a place for us to connect and linkup every week!
What a beautiful heartfelt prayer, Alisa. I love the way you opened up Noah’s story for us here. Such necessary reminders of His truths waiting to be found like nuggets of gold that delight us and surprise us as they lay just below the surface.
Thanks for sharing this today and for linking up at #GraceMoments. I am so glad to see your smiling face and join you in praying this prayer of faith.
Blessings,
Dawn
What a lovely, insightful post! The story of Noah and his walk with God has always drawn me in, and you’ve given me fresh insights. I especially appreciate the reminder to invite the Holy Spirit in. Thanks so much!
Thanks, Richella!
I like that you said we must intentionally ask the Holy Spirit to be with us instead of sitting there, waiting (I picture me just sitting in my mess, grumbling and complaining). Great post, Alisa. Thanks for linking up with Grace and Truth.
Thanks for stopping by Aimee!
As many times as I have read Noah, I have thought about the smell from the animals, but never considered the smell from the humans! Don’t worry, that’s not the only thing I took away from your post. đŸ˜‰ I love how you mention that God hasn’t forgotten us. When it’s been awhile since I’ve heard His voice or received new direction, I often forget to trust and remember the last thing He said. Thanks for the encouraging word, and I’m praying for your community.