Up Against a Brick Wall?
Have you ever been in a situation where you have felt you were up against a brick wall and just didn’t know what to do? I’m thinking of things like work relationships, marriage difficulties, financial problems etc..
In my Christian walk there have been many times when I have found myself in an impossible and difficult situation, where there just didn’t seem to be a way forward. What I felt needed to happen seemed right by God, but I was stuck. Whether it was something practical, an inner need or whatever, but it seemed impossible.
On one occasion I shared my problem with a wise and trusted friend and said it felt like being ‘up against a brick wall’ - a phrase that just slipped out as I expressed my anguish. I suppose I thought he would tell me what to do, but I guess he sensed I was being passive in the matter. Instead he asked me, ‘What do you do when faced with a brick wall?’ I went away and wrote down all the possibilities and pondered:
1. Do nothing and let God sort it out in His time, leaving me to get on with life. This may be right for a time, but in can be a sort of denial or pretence. The truth is it doesn’t usually go away and the longer it’s ignored, the less I will be really living. I may be marking time for a while, but I will soon be going backwards.
2. Turn my back on it and walk away. That’s similar to the last and something inside told me it doesn’t work.
3. Try and find a way around it. This was an attractive proposition as it appealed to my do-it-yourself nature and ingenuity. However, all the options were soon exhausted - including myself - and I had to admit there was no way around.
4. Face it with God. Look at the situation fairly and squarely in all openness and honesty before God, including owning up to any feelings and emotions. This obvious solution may be avoided because it often involves going into ‘unknown territory.’ This may mean having to face our fears, involve confrontation or taking steps that we would rather not.
The truth is, that as we take each step God shows us, the ‘mountain’ starts to move or melt away. What seemed impossible becomes possible, because that word ‘impossible’ just isn’t in God’s vocabulary. Where there didn’t seem to be a way, a way opens up as we face the mountain. And when we come through the other side, we feel bigger and stronger in Him.
I have also found that as time goes by, the brick walls get bigger, so I pray that I will be given the grace to face them with Him.
In my Christian walk there have been many times when I have found myself in an impossible and difficult situation, where there just didn’t seem to be a way forward. What I felt needed to happen seemed right by God, but I was stuck. Whether it was something practical, an inner need or whatever, but it seemed impossible.
On one occasion I shared my problem with a wise and trusted friend and said it felt like being ‘up against a brick wall’ - a phrase that just slipped out as I expressed my anguish. I suppose I thought he would tell me what to do, but I guess he sensed I was being passive in the matter. Instead he asked me, ‘What do you do when faced with a brick wall?’ I went away and wrote down all the possibilities and pondered:
1. Do nothing and let God sort it out in His time, leaving me to get on with life. This may be right for a time, but in can be a sort of denial or pretence. The truth is it doesn’t usually go away and the longer it’s ignored, the less I will be really living. I may be marking time for a while, but I will soon be going backwards.
2. Turn my back on it and walk away. That’s similar to the last and something inside told me it doesn’t work.
3. Try and find a way around it. This was an attractive proposition as it appealed to my do-it-yourself nature and ingenuity. However, all the options were soon exhausted - including myself - and I had to admit there was no way around.
4. Face it with God. Look at the situation fairly and squarely in all openness and honesty before God, including owning up to any feelings and emotions. This obvious solution may be avoided because it often involves going into ‘unknown territory.’ This may mean having to face our fears, involve confrontation or taking steps that we would rather not.
The truth is, that as we take each step God shows us, the ‘mountain’ starts to move or melt away. What seemed impossible becomes possible, because that word ‘impossible’ just isn’t in God’s vocabulary. Where there didn’t seem to be a way, a way opens up as we face the mountain. And when we come through the other side, we feel bigger and stronger in Him.
I have also found that as time goes by, the brick walls get bigger, so I pray that I will be given the grace to face them with Him.
“- for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.” Psalm107:16 “Jesus replied,
"I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.” Matthew 21:21 New International Version
6 comments :
Its really good to have you back.
For me its more like a brick maze, walls on every side, every way I turn, and seemingly no escape. I feel trapped, helpless unable to escape, not sure where God is in all of this or even if my faith is completely missplaced.
Then I shrug and get on with life. You didn't mention shrugging as an option in your list. :/
Oh yes, I've done plenty of shrugging. I could have added that when the Christian friend asked me, 'What do you do when faced with a brick wall?’ he also said, 'and tell Father how you feel about it,' That word 'feel' often acts as a catalyst to open up the way!
Oh yes my friend I have and still do face many brick walls. Some bigger than others but still the same brick wall. Before accepting and surrendering my life to Jesus Christ I would literally make myself sick over trying to figure out how I was going to get through the "impossible" situation. I spent many years in this state of mind. But, praise the Lord for renewing my mind through His word!! When we are face to face with these "impossible brick walls" we know that nothing is impossible with God. NOTHING!! AMEN! So good to see you writing again my friend. I sure did miss you.
I usually kick and punch.
I walk by Faith and Not By Sight. God Is Good. Sometime even though we can't see very far ahead, God is at work, bringing forces together, people together, to lead us to our outcome.
We must have Faith, but we also must move forward in action. Not that action saves us Faith does by the Grace of Jesus Christ. But action is a by-product of faith. Let God work in your lives, by confronting situations head on, even though we cannot see the end result.
http://bjsiah.blogspot.com/
http://notdistroyed.wordpress.com/
I am so happy that you are writing again.. I soo enjoying reading your encouraging posts with such profound meaning. All glory to God.. Blessings to you and thankyou :)
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