Interruptions and Obstacles

Have you ever had something you wanted to do, but it seemed like the harder you tried the more it didn’t work out. It could be something in ministry, a job situation, school decision or even trying to plan a vacation.

I know I have and when roadblocks continue to pop up I am quick to try to find another way around to get what I want, or what I think is God’s plan for me.  When in reality I could learn a few lessons from Balaam about interruptions and obstacles that come along my path.

Numbers 22

 ²¹ Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went off with the noblemen from Moab. As he was going, though, God’s anger flared. The angel of God stood in the road to block his way. Balaam was riding his donkey, accompanied by his two servants. When the donkey saw the angel blocking the road and brandishing a sword, she veered off the road into the ditch. Balaam beat the donkey and got her back on the road.

^24-25 But as they were going through a vineyard, with a fence on either side, the donkey again saw God’s angel blocking the way and veered into the fence, crushing Balaam’s foot against the fence. Balaam hit her again.

^26-27 God’s angel blocked the way yet again—a very narrow passage this time; there was no getting through on the right or left. Seeing the angel, Balaam’s donkey sat down under him. Balaam lost his temper; he beat the donkey with his stick…

³¹ Then God helped Balaam see what was going on: He saw God’s angel blocking the way, brandishing a sword. Balaam fell to the ground, his face in the dirt…

³⁴ Balaam said to God’s angel, “I have sinned. I had no idea you were standing in the road blocking my way. If you don’t like what I’m doing, I’ll head back.”

What great lessons we can learn from Balaam, the irritating obstacles and interruptions we experience during our day may just be keeping us safe or from making serious mistakes.

The flat tire that makes us late

The slow driver we can’t seem to get around

The line at the grocery that takes longer than it should

These and many other obstacles and irritations may just be from the Lord for our own protection. So, the next time something does not go as we planned instead of getting upset, or trying to find a way around them first go the Lord in prayer and see if He is the one standing in the way.

Kim has been married for twenty-three years, a minister’s wife for more than twenty years. She has eight children and   has been homeschooling for fifteen years. She would like to say she reads travels and does all kinds of wonderful things in her spare time, but the truth is she spends her spare time doing laundry.