He sought the Lord, and gave his life to achieve one last victory over the Philistines: Then Samson prayed to the LORD, Sovereign LORD, remember me. Gideon was fearful. Here are five of these individuals, and some takeaways we can learn from them. So, having explored these examples of overcomers in the Bible, lets revisit the earlier question of How to be an overcomer as a Christian? Ive noticed two main themes throughout these stories: tremendous FAITH in God, and utmost DEPENDENCE on God. We dont think much about it in our modern age of 30-year-old millionaires, and bosses that are often 20 years younger than the employees they manage. Four Aged Bible Women and Their Spiritual Legacies. Achsah, in the Bible is the daughter of Caleb, the friend of Joshua (Joshua 15:16). For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the worldour [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God]. Jobs story reminds me of this testimony I heard about a Christian couple who lost their children in a traffic accident. Thankfully, he kept on, doing his best with whatever situation faced him - and saved his family (70 relatives) from a terrible famine, which lineage eventually led to Jesus Christ, the Savior . But then there was a slight problem: No water to drink. 2) John the Baptist John the Baptist faced opposition from two of the most powerful systems during his time: the religious system (the Pharisees) and the monarchy (Herod the tetrarch). The book of Psalms is full of his questioning and pain, as well as his victories. John sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the one. For example: We can deduce that Rebekah was an old woman, when she helped her son Jacob deceive his father; Isaac her husband was old (Genesis 27). He claimed he didnt know how to speak because he was too young. One of the original twelve disciples of Jesus, Peter is known for his boldness. Ruth. Samson was immoral. Instead of answering his question, God asked Job if he understood the workings of the complex universe like He does. Photo credit:Thinkstock/Arrangements-Photography. Pharaohs daughter discovered him and raised him. Get updates via e-mail (freebies, too) Get my latest blog updates + encouragement, PLUS a free e-book and printable wall art! Mary, Jesus mother, is among the Bibles most significant adored female characters, and several belief her to have been the holiest among all Christian martyrs. Who among these Bible characters is your favourite and why? My friend was angry, but we were able to make amends. Job had everything a good family, a good name and plenty of wealth. P.S. Later, Moses returned to Egypt to convince the new Pharaoh to free the Israelites, risking his life. Many of us struggle with the restrictions on our freedoms during this COVID-19 pandemic. Verse Concepts. Obstacles build character One reason that God allows obstacles in our life is transformation. A large part of John the Baptists mission occurred on Jordans eastern edge, in Herods kingdom of Parea. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness. See my full disclosures HERE. And yet, after a dramatic encounter with the risen Christ, mere days later Paul was preaching the gospel! Being a disciple of Jesus doesnt automatically make one a faith giant. All at once an angel touched him and said, Get up and eat. He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. What does it mean to be an overcomer? The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." And the schemer is eager for their wealth. Earlier on in his life, Moses ran to the wilderness to flee from Pharaoh who wanted to kill him. I am coming soon. Ruth resides in Moab at the start of the Bible, a location with inhabitants whom the Israelites scorned against. Its about staying true to God, even when its not easy! David is known as the man after God's own heart because of his passion for justice and for his bravery. The sixth time God promised, Abraham fell face-down and laughed. Sarah, Abraham's wife, laughed at the promise of God and then denied that she laughed. And who better to kick off these examples of overcomers in the Bible, than Joseph?! Which character of the Bible overcomes a very great obstacle? We can overcome these obstacles. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; 8. Yet, just as they had strengths that we can learn from, it is also important to remember that every prophet had weaknesses that we can learn from, too. Obstacles have destroyed many people's faith because they gave up and turned their focus away from the Lord. Hannah followed through on her commitment. (Exodus 15:25). While how we react to other people's behaviors can be an indicator of what we need to work on ourselves, the second tendency we have that is preventing us from growing in our relationships is to dismiss or ignore the issue, or even the person. :), P.S. The big takeaway from all the lessons these Bible characters learned is that with God, all things are possible (Matthew 15:26). When using these study sheets it is best to use a King James Version Bible in order to avoid confusion. The wife of Abraham went through her own time wrestling with faith while Abraham was going through his. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORDs, and he will give all of you into our hands. Be encouraged, God has called you an overcomer! They accused Job of sinning, asserting that his suffering was Gods punishment. Be strong and courageous. And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.Matthew 16:18-19 (NIV). Elijahs humanity kicked in as he ran for his life, sat under a broom bush wrestling with his faith and praying to die. He is with you. Check out these 5 Bible characters that faced many failures, but still came out successful next to Jesus. I myself know the consequences of compromising. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.Who is it that overcomes the world? Quotes tagged as "overcoming-obstacles" Showing 1-30 of 264. February 05, 2023. Jesus overcame, and as this more than an overcomer Scripture attests, through Him we can too: Can anything ever separate us from Christs love? If you want to know how to be an overcomer as a Christian, remember that it comes down to your faith in God! Locally, he loves creating media content through writing. 1 John 5:4-5 (AMP) And, any other 'overcoming' that we dowhether in spiritual victory over sin, or just reaching a goal in lifewe do through Christ, who gave His life so we could be reconciled to God. Focus on God's intentions 3. The LORD answered, I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.Judges 6:14-16 (NIV). And the Lord showed him a piece of wood, He threw it in the water, and the water became fit to drink (Exodus 15:25). 1. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Israel was in a bad way when he was called, and he wrestled with the call at first. She had a son and called him Samuel. I blog about faith in God, overcoming challenges, and creative topics such as Bible journaling. The Problem With Pineapples. He wants to serve God only. That was what happened to queen Esther. And, in the end, Ruths decision to stick by her mother-in-law was rewarded! Overcoming obstacles is tough. Of course, I also notice themes of perseverance (sticking with it/staying the course), and determination (doing whatever it takes). And yet, we all know the story of what happens it occurs just as Jesus said it would. He declared,it is finished! How might these stories and lessons from the Bible speak to your troubles? Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times. And he went outside and wept bitterly.Matthew 26:69-75 (NIV). So Pharaoh said to Joseph, I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Josephs finger. Seniors and their families are facing the effects of the coronavirus outbreak in assisted living communities and across the world, and there are many unknowns associated with that. If He leads us to it, He'll lead us through it. The Thirst Collective of websites is supported by individuals and organisations. We read in Judges 13-16 that Samsons life was plagued by trouble and mistakes. Stratgey #7 - Overcome Obstacles by Seeking Strength and Wisdom from God "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Winning a good faith wrestling match can even make you stronger. Is it not I, the LORD? I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be. Is Jesus not worth climbing the tree for? At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. Hannah is one of the Bibles most acceptable and remarkable female characters and one of the most recognizable women who overcame obstacles. I dont know what youre talking about, he said. She refused initially, as speaking up would mean risking the death penalty. But then Satan went to God and asked for permission to alter Job's good fortune. When we don't understand what God is doing, it's easy to feel inadequate. And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. Here's the principle so failure doesn't get the last word: When we have sinned, we must recognize it and repent. }. When King Darius went to check on Daniel the next morning, he found quite the surprise, as Daniel explained to him how he was still alive, My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. The Female character inspired most of her people to serve God and their beliefs at a time when it was urgently required. 6. Gideon in the Bible is an Old Testament character everyone can identify with. Our time on this earth is the process of proving our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Wrestling with his faith, he brings his son to Jesus asking if Jesus can help. 5 Bible Verses for Overcoming Obstacles. With those words, Esther was motivated to act. Dont let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.1 Timothy 4;11-12 (NIV). 2021 The Revelation Media. But, she refused to abandon Naomi! 5. Who are the overcomers in the Bible? In Mark 14:26-31, Peter talks about how he would never deny Jesus. As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. "CONCERNED BUT NOT CONSUMED!". Even in writing, sometimes its hard to find the right words to express my thoughts. And last among these examples of overcomers in the Bible, is Timothy. Doing the right thing may not be easy or yield instant results, but God sees you, and He will reward your faithfulness. You're asleep. The Female character, too, lost her spouse without having children, leading others to believe she was barren. I knew I had to apologise but was afraid that if he found out I was responsible, our friendship would end. God is the Great Protector, Physician, Helper, and so . And thats exactly what Gideon did! Even though it would have been safer to prioritise himself and stay quiet, Paul focused on bringing people to God even while imprisoned. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and Ill strike you down and cut off your head. Nevertheless, they prevailed over the greatest challenges in their lives and proved that with strength, courage, and determinationand a little help from Godanyone can succeed. She was a great model of service to people, even in the worst trying of situations. Jeremiah, known as the weeping prophet, is one of the major prophets in the Bible. Abraham is known as the father of our faith. They followed him, served him, and listened to him, but still wrestled with their faith. Abraham, the father of faith and of the Jewish people, lied about his wife twice. When we feel scared or uncertain, we can turn to Scripture and the Lord for guidance and strength. Pardon me, my lord, Gideon replied, but how can I save Israel? Great inspiration. I believed that He had a purpose for my scary health conditions. Again, when Ziklag was destroyed, his wives were carried off and his men talked about stoning him. If you have a recording of negative thoughts in your head playing loud and on repeat, you're . Get some extra encouragement and guidance to focus on Jesus in your everyday life, with this FREE 3-day email series! I don't believe in circumstances. . 3. sedmak, Getty Images/iStockphoto. a These Bible characters and their examples of faith can help you to build your own faith and draw closer to God. And so I clung to Bible verses about trials and hard times and I again, chose to count it all joy. My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family. When talking about Bible characters who suffered, Job would be one of the first few people Christians think of and rightly so. The good news in all of this is that Peter was restored by Jesus, who is merciful, as John 21:15-25 reads. SORT BY. 2. Whenever someone feels down, they look for a motivational quote or inspiration. Look, said Naomi, your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. And while all of these people exemplified that all-important characteristic of FAITH, several of these stories are also simply about overcoming obstacles. In the end, whether it be the end of each of our earthly lives, or Jesus return (whichever comes first), our ultimate job as overcomers will be to hold onto faith in Christ. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, Woman, behold, your son! Then he said to the disciple, Behold, your mother! And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. Through their experiences, these female characters teach us things. Esther took the suffering that she experienced as an orphan and used it to make her stronger. Faced with temptations? Yet no matter his efforts, the tide of disbelief . The Bible is one way to lift your spirit when youre down. We have no excuse before God. Here is a father with a son whos mute and has seizures. His faith moved the Lord God to answer by fire; Elijah killed all the false prophets and then prophesied rain. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.1 Samuel 17:45-50 (NIV). The Bible tells us that David grew increasingly frustrated from his constant running and hiding, living in caves and surviving on whatever food his men could find or what those loyal to him would give. True overcoming (of sin, of challenges, of trials and tribulations), cant happen without those two essentials. Ruth encountered obstacles because she was a widow from an insurgent force having no hopes. Nonetheless, God worked wonderfully in her tale, causing her to overcome the obstacles. When he made love to her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. Still, he did not waver in preaching repentance to people. Deborah - The female warrior in the Bible. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.. 'How Great Thou Art' By Carrie Underwood with Vince Gill, Jesus on Adultery: Its More Controversial Than You Think, 'You Raise Me Up' Duet Earns A Standing Ovation From The Judges, 10 Things Your Husband Wishes You Would Say to Him, 30 Morning Prayers to Start Each Day with God, 3 Bad Church Approaches to Good Money Stewardship, 5 Critical Rules to Teach Your Kids to Help Them Stay Safe, 4 Things You Should Know about Jesus Revolution, This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. Only God made Abraham and Sarah have kids at such a time. Many of the psalms highlight David's cries to God and his struggles, such as Psalm 142:1-2, which says, "I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. Too often we let the slightest obstruction get in the way of our walk with Christ. Triumphing over Teasing - We can rejoice in our God-given freedom from untrue labels and labeling tactics. Like the stories of Gideon and of David, this story from Elijahs life is one of those God gets all the glory situations. Ruth had to have been going through many hardships and obstacles, yet she didnt let her experience stand in her way. Perhaps no Bible character has suffered more than Job. If there was hope for Peter, there is hope for you and for me toono matter what mistakes weve made. January 15, 2023. In fact, it may even be more effective to serve during periods of struggle! After the seventh time, Sarah laughed, unable to fathom having a child at her age. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. God's forgiveness doesn't save us from the consequences of our conduct, but if we've abandoned the behavior and are willing to accept the consequences, God will still use us. Abigail saved David An ambitious woman rids herself of an inconvenient husband. January 22, 2023. Even though King David struggled mightily with his faith, he never remained in this state for long, as he still concludes every psalm praising God and giving Him glory. "Don't even try.". Job protested his innocence to his friends, and eventually asked God to explain Himself. Noah got drunk. And not only that, but Naomi was blessed by her daughter-in-law as well. Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, had just lost their husbands. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.". She was barren for many years and passed off as Abrahams sister two times to different kings. Notwithstanding these challenges, the mother of Jesus obeyed God and submitted to His will. In Philippi, Paul was accused of anti-Roman teachings and got thrown in prison. Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. What can we learn from the Bibles imperfect fathers? Nahum 1:7 NLT. "God is strong, and he wants you strong. Okay now, enough about you and me! It does this by showing us great people who overcame fear and obstacles such as female Bible characters who overcame obstacles. Your safety isnt guaranteed. Elijah (who was a true prophet of the Lord) had just killed a bunch of false prophets, and evil Queen Jezebel was determined to get revenge by killing Elijah in return. He was pushed to the limit. 2 And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds. We learn from their experiences that we cant have a fearless lifestyle. This four-week email series includes a weekly devotional + journaling prompts, to help you dive deeper into God's Word through creative journaling. Jesus will help us win our wrestling matches by his grace. He does this because he loves God so much. From Oprah Winfrey 's scarred childhood to Bill Gates ' failed business ventures, these people have been through the grinder, and came out even better than before. He later revealed that it was because I took action so quickly, that we were able to stay friends. Her first book Emerging With Wings: A True Story of Lies, Pain, And The LOVE that Heals has ushered many to emotional and spiritual freedom. His life shows us how trusting in God can lead to great victories.

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