What Do I Do With Obstacles In My Way?
What should I do if I can't see a way forward? I think I should do something, but something is blocking my way. Here are a few suggestions.
In 2014, Ryan Holiday wrote a bestselling book titled The Obstacle Is the Way. This phrase originates from Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius's Meditations 5.20, where he writes,
for the mind converts and changes every hindrance to its activity into an aid; and so that which is a hindrance is made a furtherance to an act; and that which is an obstacle on the road helps us on this road.
Translation? Sometimes it's the very obstacles we face that help us become the very people we should be. This was a reality the New Testament author James certainly understood. He recognized that it's the process of going through hardships that shapes us into the image of Christ.
In verses 2-3, James writes, "Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance." Now, in verse 4, he adds, "And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing."
The Greek word hypomonē means active endurance—not just surviving but growing under pressure. David Nystrom writes,
This word does not refer to a solitary and exceptional act of fortitude, but to a deeper component of character that manifests itself in various situations. It means active steadfastness, staying power, constancy, and a determination under adversity. But it is colored with the idea of hope, which animates and enriches these other qualities.[1]
Don't Rush the Process
Our problem is that we don't like the process of endurance and do everything we can to rush the process. We have this natural resistance to seeing our spiritual muscles develop. But if you've done any amount of physical strength training, you'll know that speed is often the enemy of growth.
When I start a workout session, I go through a series of slow stretches. When I do dumbbell curls, pull-ups, or bench press reps, I take extra care to go slow. Why? Because when I increase time under tension, this helps build more muscle and improve control and stability.
Everything in me is saying, Ezra, get this over with as quickly as possible and get the bar back on the rack. But slow is key. If I rush the process, the only person I'm hurting is myself.
That's James' point. Because we're inclined to see life as a set of challenges to overcome, we want to get through discomfort to a life of ease as quickly as possible. But we'd do better to slow down and recognize what God is doing in our lives through the discomfort. To look for ways he is shaping our character.
As my friend Phil Brown told me years ago, "God is more interested in developing your character than he is in teaching you a lesson."
Keep Focused on the Goal
Chances are, you've got some tough trials or difficulties in your life today. And your natural default will be to pray and treat God like a cheat code to get out of your situation. "God, give me instant healing." "God, get me the right job." "God, help me find the right life's partner."
These prayers aren't always bad. But just make sure you're not rushing the process. Instead, lean into the heavy weight you're carrying right now, and let endurance have its full effect in your life.
Why? "So that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing."
"Mature” means fully developed in character. Not perfect in behavior, but grown-up in faith, able to handle life with wisdom and endurance. “Complete” means whole or entire. Not fragmented or inconsistent.
"Lacking nothing” means there's no gap in your faith or integrity. It’s the kind of person who’s been shaped by trials, not crushed by them. They're stable, grounded, and spiritually strong because they've let God finish what he started in them.
Do you have trials this week? If so, take a few minutes to pause, step back, and consider how God might be using your obstacles not only to make you a better person but also to make you more like your creator.
[1]David P. Nystrom, James, eds. Terry C. Muck, The NIV Application Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997), 48.
