Only Your Mind Is Your Invisible Barrier Now.

Brethren I know that most of us, after we experience setbacks and failures, we emotionally give up and stop trying. We believe that because we were unsuccessful in the past, we will always be unsuccessful. We continue to see a barrier in our heads, even when no ‘real’ barrier exists between where we are and where we want to go.

Remember the longer we think something can or can’t happen, the more we believe that thought, the more we act accordingly. Our beliefs are powerful. They can control us; they can put up invisible barriers and hold us back from doing things and in times of change, they can definitely hold us back from accepting or dealing with the change. So, brethren, what are some of the things you are doing to break through these invisible barriers? Is it praying, fasting, reading the Bible? What is it?

You need to challenge the barrier, the “thing” that is holding you back by taking action. If negative thoughts (I could never do…, I don’t think I can do this…, I’m not as good as….) dominate your mind. Don’t feed the cycle of negativity. If your mind is set on a specific goal (I want to make…, I want to be…), what action can you take to work toward that goal? What are the steps you can take to move in the direction of that goal? You can’t sit on the side lines; you have to take action!

Brethren, you are what you think (Proverbs 23:7). If you think negative, you will be negative. If you think you can’t, you won’t be able to. If you think you can, you will be able to. If you repeat positive thoughts, your mind will focus on what you want, rather than on what you do not want.
Whatever your goal, your dream, or your desire, you are worthy of achieving it. Just replace the self-limiting mind set with a newer one that contains the truth of what you want to become or have in life (2 Cor. 5:17).

In order to break the barrier, you need a firm foundation from which to step. Have a vision for what you want. Set goals to reach that vision (Habakkuk 2:2); these goals will help shape your mindset that will lead you to success and happiness. To deal with invisible barriers, we need to make a commitment to change whatever is making us feel like we can’t be successful. With persistent action, we can change a limiting belief; we can break through that invisible barrier and move forward. Brethren, when things get tough for us, we all need our fellow brethren to inspire us to work through them (Hebrews 10:25).

ONLY YOUR MIND IS YOUR INVISIBLE BARRIER

Instead of placing blame, making excuses, or giving up, we need to summon our resolve and our reserves to deal with the situation or issue head on. We need to think, “if others less fortunate than us can do it, I can find the strength, skills, and determination to handle whatever is facing me.”

Believing that we can overcome anything is half the battle won (Luke 1:37). That belief steers us away from doubts which can immobilize us and turn our attention away from the solutions. That belief helps keep our attention on whatever the issue, whatever the challenge, is. Winners don’t quit; they rise above to meet the challenge head on. Remember, we find what we look for. If we look for the positive, the good, that is what we will find. If we look for the negative, the bad, that is what we will find (Matthew 7:7).

Every situation that is challenging offers us a learning opportunity (a blessing with the lesson) and also it tests our strength and patience. We encounter many things in our lives that at first glance seem impossible (Challenges, difficulties, etc). Be of good cheer (John 16:33) and see opportunity in any and every difficulty.

 Look to your fellow brethren who inspire you to give you the strength and courage to deal with whatever stumbling block life has seemed to put in your way. For me, I will think, “If Shammah in 2 Samuel 23:11-12 could defeat the entire army of Philistines, I can find a way to deal with my situation!” I will leave you with these words in Philippians 4:13 “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength”.

Pastor Nathaniel