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It stood a few yards away, taunting me. “I’m gonna do it this time,” I said as I anticipated hurtling the hurdles.

Putting my legs in motion, I approached the first hurdle with all the speed my little seventh-grade body possessed, only to halt once again when reaching it. The momentum almost sent me tumbling over it. Fear stopped me in my tracks. Fear of misjudging the height. Fear that my legs couldn’t do what was needed to soar over that obstacle on the racetrack.

The memory surfaced as a couple of the ladies in my small group shared about the challenges that delayed them that morning. One had been stuck on a phone call with her insurance company. Someone had backed into her car the evening before. Another had someone throw a rock at her car the previous night, shattering the back window. Her daughter loaned her a car, but, not being familiar with it, my friend had almost decided to stay home. Obstacles. Hurdles standing in the way.

The enemy of our souls loves to throw up roadblocks to keep us from being in fellowship and receiving the encouragement, support, and faith-building that comes when we connect with other Christ-followers. Our time together was precious as we shared our frustrations, fears, and anxieties. We looked into God’s Word and prayed for each other.

Eventually, I managed to jump over the hurdles in my P.E. class at school—but not every time and not gracefully. I often tipped the hurdle over. With God’s grace and faithfulness, we can hurtle the hindering hurdles and trot down the racetrack. His strength will enable us to leap past our fears, and His protection keeps the evil one from preventing us from much-needed connection with other believers.

Thank the Lord for His faithfulness, and grab the promise that He will strengthen and guard you the next time you face a set of hurdles.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)