Obstacles Are for Growth
by Peter Brokaar
Perhaps you have heard of the term ‘helicopter parenting’. It’s when parents are overprotective and continually hover over their children to shield them from harm. Whilst the motivation for this may appear loving, it is actually more based on fear, and it will stunt the child’s development. God, the perfect Father, is by no means a helicopter parent. Yes, He watches over us and cares for us at all times. But He also allows difficulties, challenges and obstacles on our path. That way we grow and develop more fully, even if we do get some bumps and knocks along the way.
Let’s consider Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the obstacles she faced as a young woman. Many scholars believe she was only about fifteen or sixteen years old when the angel Gabriel visited her with a message that would radically impact her life. God’s will for her life included the following:
She had to live with the stigma of having conceived a child out of wedlock, which of course was a huge big deal back in her day.
She had to make an uncomfortable journey whilst highly pregnant, before giving birth in less-than-ideal circumstances, without care and support from her family.
She had to flee to a foreign land and live several years as a refugee with her budding family.
She could not protect her dear Son from ridicule and harm. She had to watch Him suffer, even to the point of being tortured to death on a Roman cross.
We might feel that God could have given her an easier life, perhaps even that He should have protected her from these severe challenges. But He did not. This path was God’s will for Mary. I have no doubt however that God strengthened, encouraged, and comforted her in the midst of her various troubles. Mary must have had an amazing walk with God and His redemptive story woven through her life has been an inspiration to millions of people.
Perhaps you also feel that there are too many obstacles in your life, and that it’s God’s duty to remove them for you. This may happen, but then again, it may not. God is in charge. A more fruitful prayer might be to ask God how He can help you grow as you face whatever challenges He allows in your life.
Peter Brokaar is Director of Ellel Ministries Scotland and has been there together with his wife Liz since 2005. They have 3 kids, all born in Scotland! In his free time he likes reading, cooking, running and surfing. Being at Ellel Scotland has given him the privilege of getting to know God deeper and sharing that joy with many others.
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