Roadblocks

Sometimes it's really good when things don't work out the way that you want. In the moment it is really frustrating and irritating, and it's not really fun at all, but often this annoyances can help people grow.

When you hit a roadblock, I believe you have three main options, and any of these options could be helpful depending on the situation.

1. You could give up.
2. You could examine what you could do better.
3. You could have a stronger resolve about reaching your goal.

Maybe it doesn't sound like giving up would be a good option and sometimes it is not, but if you are trying to get to Chicago by taking Interstate-44 West from St. Louis, stopping may be the most helpful thing you can do.

Maybe there is something that needs to be adjusted to make you better and accomplish what you are trying to do. Learning from losses in the regular season might be really helpful as you approach playing postseason games.

Maybe you are doing the right thing in the right way and others just aren't able to see it yet and they need more time to see what you see. Many good inventions were not understood the first time they were explained, but after some time and effort others were able to see the benefits of different technological advances.

Proverbs shares some wisdom, and I believe it is really helpful when looking at life's roadblocks.

Proverbs 19:20-21New International Version (NIV)

20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,
    and at the end you will be counted among the wise.

21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

The first verse points out that wisdom from other people can be really beneficial, but ultimately the Lord's purpose prevails in verse twenty-one. The roadblock may be God speaking to you.

Maybe that's not the right way to say it, because I don't think God is the roadblock. Instead, the road block makes you pause for a while which can take the focus off of yourself and put it back on Him, back on God where it belongs. Many times people, even good Christians, will get caught up in doing things for God rather than being with God. Spending time with God is a good thing, and that roadblock might be just what you need before you are able to move forward.

May you spend time listening to the wise, considering the plans of your heart, and centering your life on God's purpose; it will prevail anyway.