stumbling blocks

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growlegacy

Stumbling has never been on my list of things to enjoy. In fact, when I was in middle school it was common for boys to trip each other and the girls while we were walking. Terrible, right? Most kids didn’t succeed in making someone fall, but there were lots of people catching their balance to avoid having their face hit the pavement. Those were intentional obstacles that people were creating to watch an unsuspecting person fall. Those kinds of “stumbling blocks” do exist. 

Then, there are the day to day challenges of life. I’ve run into rules I didn’t know to follow or expectations I didn’t know to meet or clauses that held me back. In life, I’ve learned that I have to read the fine print. Can I just say that “stumbling blocks”, rules, unknown expectations and clauses are ABSOLUTELY ANNOYING, and in my experience have been some of the greatest opportunities for growth in my life. Romans 5:3-5 tells us that we should “…glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

I have run into obstacles with people and relationships, systems and programs, organizations and structures. While these ridiculously tedious challenges have been disguised as stumbling blocks, they have truly been stepping stones – stepping stones of character development, tenacity, and ultimately, growth. Some of those stumbling blocks are by design. They serve to see if a person will give up…throw in the towel, so to speak. I can look back and see God’s hand faithfully guiding me through my stumbles and falls. He has taken moments of pain to prepare me for moments of victory.

How can we know goodness without sorrow? How can we know victory without struggle? These ideas are ones we must constantly be reminded of.

Stumbling blocks are stepping stones. 

  1. What would help you overcome frustrations to see them as opportunities?
  2. How do you view “stumbling blocks” in your life?