Introduction : A famous Chinese evangelist named Watchman Nee was so weak physically that his doctor told him he would not live past the age of thirty. He passionately prayed to God for healing, but there was no answer. One night he had a strange dream. In the dream, he was traveling on a boat on the Yangtze River. In the middle of the journey, his boat got stuck on a big rock, so he prayed that his boat could continue on the journey. God answered, "Shall I move the rock-or raise the water level?" Nee answered, "Please raise the water level so my boat can go over the rock." Suddenly the river level rose above the rock, and his boat safely passed over the rock. When he awoke from his dream, Nee realized he had learned a very important lesson. As a result, he lived to be over eighty years old, sharing the gospel of salvation. Sometimes God removes the obstacle of suffering, but in most cases, God will let you overcome the obstacle.


1. The obstacles of life
    1) Sin is an ugly obstacle, but God does not allow us to live in a sinless world
        (He 12:4; 3:13).
    2) Satan´s temptations and decadence of the secular world are always around us
        (Gal 5:19-21).
    3) Physical and mental illness and difficulties are with us for our entire life
        (Ecc 5:17; Pr 14:13).
    4) Trials of life, hardship, poverty, and failure are always with us (Job 5:7; Ecc 2:23).
    5) Physical death, sorrow of bereavement, and pain are always with us
        (Heb 9:27; Ps 90:10).

2. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert
    1) Instead of eliminating the fiery serpent, God showed him the treatment (Nu 21:8-9).
    2) Jesus was lifted up on a tree (Jn 3:14-15).
        (1) The grace of His precious blood, the treatment for sin (Eph 1:7).
        (2) The grace of the Holy Spirit that destroyed Satan and secularism
        (1Jn 3:8; 1Co 6:11, 19).
        (3) The grace that healed physical and mental illness (Ps 103:3-4; 1Pe 2:24).
        (4) The grace that conquered the curse and poverty (Gal 3:13-14).
        (5) The grace that defeated death (2Co 5:1; Rev 1:17-18).
            - Look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith (Heb 12:2).

3. Paul´s experience and his overcoming faith (2Co 12:7-9)
    1) Let the words of God´s grace stay in your mind, and always have an eager desire for
        them (Ps 1:2-3; 119:92,105; 23:4-5).
    2) Always seek the help of the Holy Spirit (Ro 8:26; Jn 16:33).
    3) Depend on the Lord, and make a decision to have faith with deeds
        (Job 23:10; Heb 10:38).
    4) Do not think or speak about misery and negative things. Speak words of
        thanksgiving (Pr 17:22; 18:21; 1Th 5:16-18; Jas 1:12; 1Pe 4:12-13).


Conclusion : Plants grown in a greenhouse will die if left outdoors. If children are overprotected, they will become failures. When you look to Jesus during painful circumstances and overcome life because of His grace, then you become a strong and capable believer. Life is not obstacle-free. The person that knows how to overcome obstacles paves the way to heavenly character.