Changing Your Attitude About Roadblocks

Raise your hand if you enjoy getting stuck behind road construction.

[crickets]

That’s what I thought. Nobody likes road construction. No offense to you all in the bright hi-viz vests, but I’m guessing even you don’t like getting delayed on your way home because of road construction.

Read about the history of our interstate highways. We love the convenience of the interstate system but getting the superhighways we have today meant a lot of construction, a lot of roadblocks, and a lot of opposition in communities. It’s the NIMBY syndrome: not in my backyard. Yes, please give us a better route, but not in my backyard!

In the town where I live, one major intersection was always a bear. Two state highways, each with a full load of traffic, crossed paths and it was always a slow process getting across town. So, the state came up with a great solution.

But the solution made things worse! The plan was to build an overpass for one of the highways. Great! But the process of building the overpass made things worse for a good stretch of time. Obstacles. Delays. No one wants those. However, when the orange cones were taken down and the overpass was opened, it was great! It didn’t matter which highway you were on or which direction you were going, it was smooth sailing (er, cruising).

We’re often short-sighted. We fuss about construction and only see the obstacle. We forget that things may get worse for a season, but it leads to something far better.

Consider this from the perspective of Jairus, a man who came to Jesus because his daughter was dying. Jesus agreed to help, but as they were on their way, there was a delay in the form of an ailing woman. Her situation was serious, but her faith in Jesus was rewarded. She was healed, and Jesus stopped to talk with her. I wonder what Jairus thought of this. This is all fine and dandy. I’m glad she was healed, but WHY DID JESUS HAVE TO STOP AND CARRY ON A CONVERSATION?! MY DAUGHTER IS DYING!

This delay—this obstacle of a woman—brought about Jairus’s greatest fear. His daughter died.

“While he [Jesus] was still speaking [to the woman], someone came from the synagogue leader’s house and said, ‘Your daughter is dead. Don’t bother the teacher anymore’” (Luke 8:49).

Jairus’s situation went from bad to worse. But thankfully, the story doesn’t end there. Jesus not only healed the girl, but He did so by raising her from the dead!

Let’s revisit this event and imagine a different scenario. What if the sick woman had not been there that day or had been unable to get to Jesus? Jesus would’ve still arrived at Jairus’s house and done exactly what Jairus requested: healed his sick daughter.

That would’ve been miraculous, but the unexpected delay allowed Jairus and others to see a greater miracle. The faith of Jairus was rewarded in a greater way, and no doubt his faith deepened.

When you ask God to work on your behalf, have faith and trust Him. What happens if you ask for something, but instead of God fixing the situation, the situation only gets worse? Maintain your trust. There is no roadblock or obstacle that is beyond God. God may be using that very obstacle to deepen your trust in Him. And God may have something far better and far greater for you on the other side of that roadblock.

Expect great things from God and know that no matter the obstacle, He’ll answer. He’ll deliver in an incredible way. Just keep trusting.

“Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us — to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Eph. 3:20-21).

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This post supports the study “Expectant Faith” in Bible Studies for Life and YOU.