When Life Seems Impossible

There are impossible things in our lives. Weighty things that have been part of our landscape for a long time. Relationships, sickness, generational curses, strongholds…etc. Our initial reaction is to throw our hands up and say, “This will never change, he / she will never change! It will always be like this!” It doesn’t have to be…

How are things moved?

There are so many ideas on how to handle impossibilities; the formulas and strategies are endless, many resulting in empty promises. The one way that things change is through brokenness; this is the way to move through impossible scenarios. It is not the way we would naturally choose, but this broken road can move mountains. Jesus teaches us how to think and handle ourselves when things are stronger than us. This is demonstrated in Luke 20:18: “Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” We choose which scenario we will enter into: Jesus, you must move, or move me.

Solomon addresses this in Ecclesiastes 9:11: “I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.”

Where is this right place? In Exodus 33:22, the LORD said, “I will put you in the cleft of the rock…” Jesus will move you into the place of advantage.

I was hiking in Nevada and we came to a place called Red Rock. There were huge rocks that were awesome to climb but impossible to move in our own strength. As we climbed to the top of one boulder, there was a great view of the valley, and the other rocks appeared in proportion to the one we were standing on. Knowing our place creates perspective and context.

How do things move?

Often our first instinct is to run at the boulder and crash into it thinking we can push our way through. Frequently, we are the ones getting hurt, not the rock. The rock may move slightly or not at all. We can be like a bull in a china closet! There will always be collateral damage this way.

In a recent lesson with my son, I was sharing there are winners and losers in every game but, ultimately, we play with all of our heart and enjoy it, no matter the outcome. There will always be someone greater and stronger in our lives. It is healthy to know one’s limitations. This lesson is often learned through seasons of frustration and bouts of anger. No one likes obstructions and immovable things. We want to have smooth sailing!

Often things may not move, moving us toward God out of necessity rather than our convenience. To the rock-climber, the rock is not an enemy but an object to conqueror. The right equipment is crucial to the climb. There is respect for the challenge but the reward of the view and the journey moves him.

• Rocks can move when there is a terrain change. Turbulence in our lives forces us to address foundational flaws. This exposure and instability can show the hidden insecurities and flaws that we want to surrender to the LORD. Until this happens, there is little that changes.
• Rocks can be moved by how we speak and believe. This is demonstrated in Matthew 11:23: “I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.”
• Rocks can be moved by dynamite; something greater can destroy them. Just as roads were carved out of mountains, God will “make a way” through. God may bring in other people to remove your boulders or show you how to exercise the faith to wait while others move them for you.

Impossible, Difficult, Done

No matter where you are today—whether looking at the impossibility, fearing the impossible, or overwhelmed by the unknown outcome—give heed to what a wise Chinese missionary, Hudson Taylor, said, “There are three stages to every great work of God; first it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.”

Whatever is before you, choose to look at it as something that will make you, as it breaks you. Rest assured your DONE is coming!