Have you ever thought – “why do I keep hitting roadblocks even as I am doing the right thing?” “Why am I facing opposition when I am doing what I am supposed to be doing?” Ever asked questions like that? And then you feel like quitting because the resistance or opposition is just too much? Well before you run off to quit, let’s take a look at someone in the bible that was actually doing the right thing but kept facing opposition. He was a man known by God, chosen by God, and even led by God; but he faced opposition time and time again when He tried building a well, which, mind you, was the right thing for him to do.

This man I am talking about is Isaac and the story is in Genesis 26: 19-22 (NLT):

“Isaac’s servants also dug in the Gerar Valley and discovered a well of fresh water. But then the shepherds from Gerar came and claimed the spring. “This is our water,” they said, and they argued over it with Isaac’s herdsmen. So Isaac named the well Esek (which means “argument”). Isaac’s men then dug another well, but again there was a dispute over it. So Isaac named it Sitnah (which means “hostility”). Abandoning that one, Isaac moved on and dug another well. This time there was no dispute over it, so Isaac named the place Rehoboth (which means “open space”), for he said, “At last the Lord has created enough space for us to prosper in this land.”

Facing opposition doesn’t mean you should give up. Can you imagine if Isaac had given up? Can you imagine if he had said to himself “you know what, maybe I was not meant to build that well ''; which is what most of us say to ourselves when we hit roadblocks because truth be told, it is easier, always easier to give up. And that’s exactly what the enemy wants us to do. He wants you and I to give up on the promise that God has made to us; so he hits us with road blocks and oppositions in hopes that that will discourage us and stop us.

However, we are to continue, knowing that the thing God has for us cannot be taken away. Sometimes it may be delayed but that doesn’t mean it is denied by God. Like Isaac, we are to persevere and continue digging until our breakthrough comes. Remember what Scripture says

“if you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small” Proverbs 24:10 (NKJV)

That is why God wants to “toughen” us up so we can withstand and outlast anything the enemy throws our way. God does not want us to faint in the day of adversity so He allows us to go through those oppositions now in order to prepare us for future challenges. Jesus clearly told us in the gospels that in this life we will have challenges but to take heart for He has overcome the world (See John 16:33). So yes, God prepares us and equips us for future challenges. Job 36:15 in the New Living Translation says:

“But by means of their suffering He rescues those who suffer, For He gets their attention through adversity.”

When you think about it, God could have easily taken Isaac and his team directly to their Rehoboth but He wanted to teach them how to persevere, continue on and not get so frustrated to the point of quitting. And He wants you and I to learn from Isaac’s story. With that in mind, also know that sometimes it is God, Himself who allows those oppositions to come our way just like the above scripture in Job 36:15 says. I hate to break it to you but it is true! However, it is by no means to hurt us or destroy our dreams, but rather to build us up, to build our character, our strength, our patience and our ability to persist.

> “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” Galatians 6:9.

Even if it takes one, two, or three attempts, don’t give up! Keep on praying and doing what you know God has asked you to do for in due time God will bring you to your breakthrough.

Another point I want to bring to your attention is that most times God doesn’t just hand us the breakthrough. Nope! There is always a part for us to play in bringing it forth. You see, we are partners with God in bringing forth our miracles. So He uses those challenges and oppositions to “toughen” us up. He wants to see if we are going to fight and persevere or if we are going to throw in the towel and quit? It’s the same way our earthly parents trained us up and for those who have kids or even your niece or nephews, it’s the same way you try to teach them how to be “tough.” You know that you wouldn’t be “helping” them by handing them everything in life because you know that the outside world does not hand anything freely to anyone; there is always a price to pay. You try to prepare them to be able to take care of themselves and defend themselves when you are not there. So by teaching your children, nieces or nephews discipline and perseverance, you are actually preparing them for the outside world and the challenges they may face – and it’s the same way God prepares us so we can withstand and outlast the enemy and receive breakthroughs!

So I want to encourage you to persevere! Keep digging despite oppositions knowing that whatever blessing has your name attached to it, God will bring it to you at the right time. If it is yours, it is yours, and no one can take it away from you!

So until next time, remember, keep your hope in God for He loves you unconditionally and has promised to never leave you nor forsake you!

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