Obstacles That Try To Stop Your Cause

1 Samuel 17:29

And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

One of my favorite stories is David fighting Goliath. I guess the reason I love the story so much is because David was not the favored person at the beginning, but he worked his way to the top instead of having position handed to him. The one thing that kept David going was that he had a cause. When he faced Goliath, there were many obstacles trying to destroy his cause, but he never let any of them stop him from seeing his cause become a reality.

Satan is never happy when one of God's children has a great cause they want to do for God. You would think everyone would be happy about a cause that you have for God, but I have found that there are many things you must overcome that will try to stop you from seeing your cause become a reality. Let me share these things with you.

First, discouraging family and friends. In verse 28, David's brother was trying to discourage him from fighting Goliath. You would think that most of your family would be excited about your cause for God, but what you will find is that most of your family will try to discourage you from pursuing that cause. Family and friends can often be the most discouraging people when it comes to your cause that you are trying to do for God. Do not let their discouragement stop you from pursuing such a great cause.

Second, critical family and friends will try to stop you from your cause. It was David's family who was critical of him. You will often find that your family and friends will be the most critical ones toward you trying to pursue a cause for God. You cannot let their criticism stop you from pursuing the cause God has placed on your heart. Even when you feel alone because of their criticism, you must confide in the presence of God that you are doing the right thing as you pursue the cause God has placed on your heart.

Third, fear has stopped many causes. David saw everyone fleeing, and yet his cause drove him to step up and fight Goliath. You can be sure that fear will show up when you get a cause for God, but you must focus on your cause by faith if you will see your cause become a reality.

Fourth, faithless leaders will try to stop you from your cause. Saul should have been the encourager of David, but he was the discourager because of his lack of faith. Do not allow the lack of faith of spiritual leaders to cause you to stop pursuing the cause that God has placed on your heart. You have to understand that maybe they lack faith because God has not placed the cause on their heart. Do not let faithless leaders who try to slow you down or stop you from pursuing a cause God has put on your heart.

Fifth, compromising offers will try to stop you from your cause. David was offered to wear Saul’s armor, but that was not what David needed to wear. David went as he had at other times and fought Goliath through God's methods. You will find that many compromising offers will come your way to “help” you achieve a cause for God, but compromise has never helped one cause become a reality. We do things God's way because it is the right way. Therefore, when compromise promises greater success, you must be determined that you would rather do things God's way and fail than to compromise and succeed.