Documenti di Didattica
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Roadblocks
to Ministry
by David Crim
Overcoming Roadblocks to Ministry
by David Crim
Copyright by
Two-irds World Publications
1500 Kilinoe Place
Wailuku, HI 96793
May, 2011
Used with permission of Two-irds World Publications. Please do not duplicate or distribute
without express permission from Two-irds World Publications.
Ov er c o m i ng R o a d b l o c k s in M in is t r y
Diagnosing the Roadblock
Is the roadblock a circumstantial consequence?
1. Remember that hardship is to be expected.
“You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33)
Jesus warned us that we will meet roadblocks—hindrances—when we are working to build the
kingdom of God. It has been said that if you do not encounter stones and stumps along the way,
you are probably on the wrong way. For not only is the disciple of Christ following a narrow way,
it is oen-times a way of persecution, suffering, and intense hardship.
ere are times when the roadblocks we face are not of anyone’s doing, in particular, they are
simply a consequence of living in a fallen world. Even the earth bares the mark of sin. Aer
humankind’s failure in the Garden of Eden, the earth was cursed so that we eat its fruit only aer
painful labor, thorns and thistles, and by the sweat of our brow (Genesis 3:17-18).
2. Remember who the enemy is.
“For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against
the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.” (Ephesians 6:12)
We are not only working to build God’s kingdom, we are working against powerful foes who want
to discourage those who are doing God’s work; and even stop them if he can. e enemy will use
people against us, at times unwittingly and at times fully complicit in his attack. People oppose
the work for a variety of reasons: envy, control, power, hatred, revenge, and sometimes simply
because they are broken people, hurting inside and prone to conflict and chaos.
We must make every effort to avoid our human nature which strives against humankind, strives
for power, and craves revenge. At each and every roadblock we face, we cannot lose sight of the
real enemy: it is never people; it is always Satan. erefore, we must be vigilant in our dependence
on the Lord’s spiritual power. Remember: Jesus has conquered the world.
3. Remember whose we are.
“e course of my life is in Your power; deliver me from my enemies and from my
persecutors.” (Psalm 31:15)
One of the reasons we react against hardship is because we like to be in control. A roadblock or
conflict proves us wrong: we are not in control. Another reason we hate roadblocks is because we
are selfish. We are born with a sense of entitlement that is expressed early in life. When little
children don’t get their way, they scream and whine. Roadblocks are a reminder that we can’t
always have it our way.
David’s psalm is an example of a godly man’s approach to hardships and enemies. He remembered
that his life was in the powerful hand of God. We belong to Christ. He purchased our pardon and
redeemed us from the bondage of sin by His own blood on the cross. David remembered that
God loved him, and that because of His love, He was willing and able to deliver him from enemies
and persecutors. In every roadblock we encounter we must remember that we belong to God and
that God is able to overcome the roadblock, in His time and in His way.
4. Remember to praise the Lord.
“I will praise the Lord at all times, His praise will always be on my lips.” (Psalm 34:1)
Since the times of our lives are in His hands, we can praise the Lord in all of our times. What a
powerful promise from God’s Word. It is our nature to whine and complain. It is Christ’s nature to
submit to the Father’s will and to seek to bring Him praise and honor and glory in every
circumstance. Paul’s own personal expression of this biblical principle teaches us a powerful
lesson: “I have learned the secret of being content…” (Philippians 4:11) Paul practiced what he
preached. Having been unjustly arrested and thrown in jail, instead of whining and complaining,
Paul and Silas sang hymns of praise to God. Luke noted that “the other prisoners were listening to
them” (Acts 16:25). When we face roadblocks, we should also remember that people are watching
to see how we will react or respond. If praise of the Lord is on our lips, no matter what our
circumstances, they will see a testimony of our faith in Christ that speaks just as loudly as a gospel
presentation.
5. Remember that God is at work maturing our faith.
“Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the
testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may
be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
is portion of wisdom literature from the half-brother of Jesus reminds us that we are a work in
progress. God is not only interested in saving us from sin, He is intentional in sanctifying us.
ough we can never say that God tempts us or that God causes every hardship, every roadblock,
every persecution, we can say that God uses every one of these to complete His sanctifying work
in our lives. Why does He do this? Out of His love for us, He desires that we look more and more
like His Son, Jesus. To those of us who remember that God is always lovingly working in our lives,
we see pain as a tool in the hands of the Great Surgeon who is bypassing every wounded artery so
that the blood of Christ flows freely through our veins and transforms us into His image.
Hardships, pain, discouragements, frustrations, failures, opposition—these are not what give a
worldly-minded leader great joy, but we are not worldly-minded leaders, are we?