Beyond The Hurdle

by Rita on February 17, 2011
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I think this happened sometime in 2000. You know how a woman can blossom, be energized and be self-motivated by simply being in a “great” relationship? That was how I felt. Every area of my life seemed to have meaning – especially my academics. I felt so good with myself that I made an attempt at an abstract for a student paper contest, which was accepted. I had a few months to write the full paper, get acceptance and present the paper at a conference.

It wasn’t long before my young, innocent heart was shattered into pieces.  The heartbreak made my world stand still. As I wallowed in misery, everything I was working on made no sense – my project, my paper, and my relationship with family and friends.

One week to the deadline for submission of the full paper, I was not ready. I was no longer interested in the paper. My mentor had asked of my progress times without number and because I did not want him to feel as though all his efforts in giving me materials were wasted, I reluctantly decided to take a look at the paper.  I struggled to reignite the initial fire I had for it. Knowing I could not do it on my own, I asked a friend for help. He was very cooperative and we managed to get in the submission at the last minute. When the full paper was accepted, I was invited to present at the conference. To my surprise, and to God be the glory, the paper took first position in the contest. I would never had known what could have been achieved if the work had not been completed!

You may have started your walk with God, you may have been busy at something you believe God was asking you to do, or you may have started out in accomplishing a vision but met hurdles along the way. These hurdles may be in the form of lack of resources, temptations, disappointments, loss, unanswered prayers, “other priorities”, low self-confidence or simply lack of motivation. You were not expecting them so they may make your dreams and vision seem like they are not worthwhile. You may feel your zeal and passion dwindling yet you may be at loss for what to do.

You are not a failure or a weakling. Maybe what you need right now is for your hands to be strengthened, your heart to be comforted or external motivation to reignite your zeal. You have laid the foundation. You have started the race. The hurdles are obstacles that can be overcome. Be strong and finish the task. If you look back on your journey, you will see that you have already come a long way and you are almost there. Your loving Father will never give up or abandon the work He has started in your life. With His help, you can accomplish what He wants you to do. You never know the worth of what He is trying to do with you until you get to the finishing point. As always, what is beyond the obstacles is always something to be prized.

If some challenge in your life has stalled a dream or vision God has put in you, may you identify the hindrances, and and may God remain the ever-present help to show you how to overcome, that you may be strong and finish the task [Zechariah 8:9, NLT].

Have you accomplished a task which you felt you may not have been able to because of challenges along the way? If yes, what lessons did you learn from it?

  • http://www.expandingmyterritory.blogspot.com jabez

    Wow..your story sounds so familiar to me. Indeed, when inspiration breaks down in the middle of a project, it is only by the grace of God that we can finish. that is why it is always wise to not seek inpiration from somewhere else but HIM.

    praise God for giving us the zeal, the energy and the perseverance to finish the race. Its so easy to fall off o!!! but Praise be unto HIM who gives us strength.

    Thanks for this :)

  • http://alittlelightisallweneed.blogspot.com/ ~Sirius~

    Hmmmm,

    How is it I stayed away from your blog for so long (Maybe it’s because you too went on a mini break)- see me looking for excuse.

    As usual this post makes so much sense.
    Funny enough one of my latest one liner prayers (I have several) is “He that started a good work in me, will be faithful to complete it”

    The works are plenty sha…..but I know He is more than capable. :-)

  • http://www.dollchic.blogspot.com Doll

    beautiful. Thanks for sharing

  • http://Http//Melodiesoflove.blogspot.com Debbie

    Well written piece, and so true we need to know who we are in Christ so that when faced with tough times our confidence will be Placed in him.

  • http://dancewithme-shona.blogspot.com/ Shona

    Very encouraging words Rita.
    I know about the hurdles, I have come across them and they have sometimes made me want to give up but.. my God is bigger than any hurdle that may come my way or any of His childrens’ ways.Thoughts like that keep me going and hanging on.

  • http://realbabez.blogspot.com/ Lil Miss Thang

    Very encouraging… Loved that as always, what is beyond the obstacle is something to be prized. We should remember that when facing an obstacle and expect great things in faith as the obstacle shall pass… nice1

  • http://atilola.blogspot.com @ilola

    Aaaahhh, you are so speaking to me right now. The client engagement I am on right now is so stressful, I work all day and stay so late and many times, I don’t find materials at all. I am just tired, no motivation. The only consolation is that is that it will be over in 3 weeks and I am wondering how I will endure till then. Thanks for inspiring.

  • http://thecornershopng.blogspot.com/ The Corner Shop

    It’s sometimes really hard to finish what we start. Personally, i think my reasons are usually boredom and a case of i-can’t-do-this-as-well-as-so-so-and-so-so-i-shouldn’t-even-bother. But it’s actually one of my life resolutions. And it’s true, we won’t know how far we can go until we try.

    Thanks for sharing!

    Adiya

  • http://eroinspirations.com/ Rita

    I also join you in praising God for giving us the strength to go on…His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses.

  • http://eroinspirations.com/ Rita

    Thank God you agree that you are finding excuse, lol. I had to go on a mini-break to get the website completed so your excuse is acceptable.

    Your one liner prayer may seem so simple but it is sooo powerful because we know He is faithful to complete what He has started in us…but don’t leave all the work for Him oh :-)

  • http://eroinspirations.com/ Rita

    You’re welcome anytime…

  • http://eroinspirations.com/ Rita

    I had to tweet this comment, it really spoke to me…true, we need to know who we are in Christ (and know who we have in Christ) because tough times do come…

  • http://eroinspirations.com/ Rita

    Having in you the right words and having filled yourself with the truth of God’s word can help in you to hang in there…thank God you never gave up when those “hurdles” came…May God continue to strengthen you…

  • http://eroinspirations.com/ Rita

    Thank you…yes oh…the obstacles too shall pass…

  • http://eroinspirations.com/ Rita

    May God continue to strengthen you and also make the days move very quickly…and not only that, may the work you do depict the excellence of God…

  • http://eroinspirations.com/ Rita

    You’re welcome.

    I share the same reasons as you for most projects that I have left halfway…thank God you are working on yours (first step was to identify the reasons)…I pray you get motivation along the way and reap the benefits of what you have started :-)

  • http://www.justdoyin.wordpress.com Anoda Phase

    Amen. Thanks for this piece Rita, it sure speaks to me.

  • http://dcbverse.blogspot.com/ David C Brown

    “Let us also therefore … laying aside every weight, and sin which so easily entangles us, run with endurance the race that lies before us, looking stedfastly on Jesus …” Hebrews 12:1,2. The endurance is the test – but Jesus is the incentive.

  • http://eroinspirations.com/ Rita

    You’re welcome.

  • http://eroinspirations.com/ Rita

    How I have missed your comments so full of wisdom…

  • http://www.funke-thoughts.blogspot.com Olufunke

    This really inspired me.
    I can so relate to this post, I experienced that years ago.
    Thanks for sharing this

  • http://www.true2society.blogspot.com Shawn

    I once faced a project that required that I maintained the optimum level of motivation and commitment. I knew that any fluctuation in my morale would affect my performance. So what I did was to promise myself that throughout the duration of the project, I would not complain about anything. I would avoid discussions with colleagues that were negative and would just ignore any such vibes coming from within me.
    It was truly hectic, there was a lot to complain about, but it worked. God saw me through.

    Thanks for sharing this

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