Are you facing challenges or obstacles? Do you wonder what the next step is? Do you feel like you are facing it alone?

The sun was brightly shining. Ten plus inches of freshly fallen snow. I knew it was going to be beautiful. I couldn’t resist. I had to go snowshoeing. The tails were calling me. I didn’t care that the windchill was -10. I knew it was going to be hard work to trudge through that much powder.  I also knew that once I was under the protection of trees on the trail there wouldn’t be any wind and the snow would be less. Two steps into the snow and I sunk . The snow was over my knees. I immediately started to question my decision. It did get better once on the trail. There was only about six inches deep with fresh snow. Braking trail in six inches of powder is still work.

It was only about 50 yards into the woods when I hit my first obstacle.  My first thought was to go around it. I sunk past my knees. I stopped to reevaluate my choice. Only to decide that, that was the only choice for me. Another 20 yards and another obstacle. Maybe I should turn around. Is this worth it? This is frustrating. In my ear I heard a Chris Tomlin song that reminded me of this scripture from Romans 8: 31b

 If God is for us, who can be against us?

God was showing me something about obstacles. No matter what we are facing He is there with us.

Obstacles are frustrating. When they come one right after another, it’s hard to stay positive and focused. Each obstacle is a new challenge. Sometimes I need to go around, sometimes I need to go under or over and sometimes I need to plow right through

Each new obstacle provided an opportunity for me to pause and reflect on the bet options. Sometimes, though, the best options wasn’t obvious. One obstacle was so big I could only see two steps ahead and had to pause again. I wasn’t sure what to do. With baby steps I made it through another one.

Isn’t that how it is with God? Sometimes we can’t see down the road or know which way to go. He knows. He can see the path set before us.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

I had one more big decision. Continue the path out set before me, lose my protection from trees and face the wind or reverse and head back the way I came.  Reversing my direction meant greater distance to home than going straight out. The shorter distance won out. I knew I was to continue the path set before me. I had failed to see one other obstacle. The fresh powder was now 10 inches deep. It was exhausting. The wind was biting. I began to wish we owned a snowmobile, so I could call my husband to come and get me.

Despite the obstacles, persevering was worth it. It was beautiful. The snow-capped trees where breathtaking. The continual reminders, that God is with me know matter what I face, have been ingrained in my memory. I can face the road set before me and trust that God will see me through it. How about you? Do you trust that you can face all obstacles with knowing God is with you? Have you reached the point of wanting to turn around? God has declared that He will never leave or forsake us. If we look for it, we will see His hope in all things. If you can’t see it, ask Him to show it to you. He knows what you need and what your next steps should be. Trust that. Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Share your stories of obstacles and perseverance here and encourage someone.