What or Who is Hindering You?

Have you ever felt like you were heading in the right direction for your breakthrough or your miracle and then something comes along and suddenly you feel like you are going backwards?

Do you ever feel like its two steps forward and one step back?

I know I have felt that way many times. I have often asked God, “What is going on? What is causing the delay? Why am I not seeing breakthrough yet? Where am I missing it?” Sometimes it is not that we are missing it or even that we are doing anything wrong – sometimes we are being hindered.

I was reading a scripture this week, that caught my attention and I began to study a couple of the words.

But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. Therefore, we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us. (I Thess 2:17-18)

Satan hindered us. In this scripture, he is described as an adversary who despises, accuses, slanders and plots against someone. Or someone who conspires against people. Are you familiar with this person? I know I am.

The word, hindered, is translated from a Greek word, egkopto, which means to cut in on or to elbow out of the way. It also paints a picture of an obstructed road. Just imagine running down the road, making progress, then someone comes around the corner and elbows you to the point that you fall off your path. Or you are driving down a road, making good time, all of a sudden you round a curve to find a huge rock blocking your path. It would bring you to a sudden and complete stop.

In this scripture, Paul was saying, “We were trying to get there, but the enemy relentlessly tried to shove us off track and hinder our path by putting obstructions in our way. He erected obstacles so insurmountable that we couldn’t find a way around them. We tried to find alternate routes but were met with constant disruptions.”

No matter what Paul tried, something was blocking his path? Cutting him off from the destination he was trying to get to. Have you ever felt that way?

What do you do? You just keep moving. You keep praying. You keep pushing forward. You realize, first of all, if you have checked your heart and made sure you are following God’s path, you are on the right track. You are not doing anything wrong. You are moving in the right direction. Keep moving.

I remember one time I was talking to Pastor Dave Roberson. I said, “Pastor Dave, every time I pray in tongues, I get the worse headache. I don’t know what I am doing wrong, but it happens every single time.”

I will never forget his response.

He laughed and said, “Wonder what he’s so afraid of?” and he walked off.

Since that day, if I am being hindered or having an attack from the enemy. I know he is afraid of what is on the other side. If I feel a blockage in my path when I am praying in the spirit or fasting, I remember his little laugh and his words. I know there is something the enemy is wanting to stop me from because there is something he is afraid of.

It is the same when he attempts to stop us from moving forward. There is something on the other side that he does not want us to get to. I wonder…what is he afraid of. That’s the question you should ask yourself. And you must remember what the word of God says about those who press on and get to the other side.

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:14)

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. (1 Cor 9:24)

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Gal6:9)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Heb 12:1)

God promises us that if we press on, we will receive the promise. However, the enemy will attempt to stop us any way he can. Truth is, he can’t stop what God has ordained, UNLESS, we stop. Refuse to stop. Keep pressing forward.