8 Keys to Gaining Victory Over Your Obstacles

“And it came to pass when the Philistine arose and came and drew nigh to meet David that David hasted and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.”  I Samuel 17:48

Have you ever been challenged by an obstacle that seemed insurmountable? Have you ever had to face an obstacle that made you want to throw in the towel and quit? 

One of my favorite stories of victory over a perceived insurmountable obstacle was David versus Goliath.

Goliath was the obstacle that was standing in the way of Israel’s victory. He did not issue his challenge one time and then leave. For forty days, every morning and every evening he challenged the men of Israel. He intimidated them with such fear that they would run and hide when they heard his challenge.

Your giants want you to surrender before you even try. They want you to keep making excuses that hinder your future progress. They want you to believe that you will never make it to your promise. Your giants want you to focus on your past, squander your present and forfeit your future.

David’s story of victory over Goliath exposes eight keys that will help you gain victory over your obstacles.

1.  Perceive your situations differently.  When David saw the plight of the Israelite army, he saw potential victory. When everyone was hiding in fear, David perceived there was an opportunity for victory.

When you perceive your situations differently, you see victory when others see defeat. You see possibilities, when others see impossibilities. What do you see is possible that others cannot see?

2.  Participate in your purpose. David was willing to confront a giant that was twice his size. He confronted Goliath with the attitude of victory. He did not wait to get permission from others; he simply participated in his purpose.

If you are waiting to get permission from others to participate in your purpose, you are denying what God desires to do in and through your life. It is not until you participate in your purpose that victory is conceivable. Are you willing to participate in your purpose even when the odds are stacked against you or will you make excuses to why you cannot do it?

3.  Proceed with authentic confidence. David knew that if God had previously delivered him from a lion and bear, He had power to deliver him from Goliath. He walked in authentic confidence that relied on what God could do through him and not a self confidence that relied on his strength.

An authentic confidence in God’s ability to work through you, positions you for success. It is not rooted in a self-built, self-conceived confidence, but it is centered on a complete trust in the purpose God gave you to offer to the world. What can you do to possess an authentic confidence that will propel your life forward?

4.  Perform in battle with your tools. David refused to use the armor of Saul to fight Goliath because they were unfamiliar to him. Instead, he used the tools he was familiar with to fight the giant. In the eyes of those around him, his tools looked insufficient to challenge a champion giant.

What tools did God give you to use in battle? Your tools may not look like tools built for champions, but if God gave them to you, He expects you to use them in battle. He can take what looks insignificant and use it to give you a significant victory. He can take what others say won’t work and use it to do a great work. What tools has God given you that you have not used because they look insufficient for the work?

5.  Possess a progressive mental attitude. David did not challenge Goliath with negative and fearful talk. He didn’t say, “I can’t, or I don’t know how I am going to defeat this giant. He didn’t stammer, stutter or second guess his assignment. He challenged Goliath with an attitude of sure victory.

When you have a progressive mental attitude, you won’t allow the giants in your life hinder your forward progress. You will think with a positive mindset, speak with authority and move in action even in the face of fear. How can you have a positive mental attitude when you are faced with a negative situation?

6.  Put your faith in action. David put feet to his faith. Instead of running in the opposite direction from his obstacle, he ran towards him. He did not just talk a good game about how he was going to defeat Goliath. His faith showed through his actions.

It is time to shut your mouth and put your faith in action. It is time to stop talking about what you dream of doing and develop a plan and execute it. Victory comes when you take your eyes off your obstacles, fix them on God’s vision for you and move in faith. What area of life do you need to put your faith in action?

7.  Prevail over your challenges. David prevailed over Goliath because he exercised his faith. His assurance that God would give him victory was his defining moment. Everyone thought that David did not stand a chance against the giant, but they failed to realize that he had someone bigger than Goliath on his side.

You can prevail over your giants when you walk according to your purpose. It may not be easy, but God never said it would be. He did say, “I will be with you always even until the end of the world.” Because of this assurance, just like David, you can prevail over your challenges. What actions can you take to prevail over your challenges?

8.  Position others for success. David’s victory over Goliath was not just for him to receive notoriety and accolades. His goal of defeating the giant was for all the Israelites. His success over the seemingly undefeatable giant positioned an entire race of people for victory.

Victory over your obstacles is more about others than you. There are people connected to you who are waiting for you to overcome your obstacles. They will never utter a word to you, but they are watching from a distance with wide open eyes and listening with attentive ears. Your victory will give them the confidence that if you can overcome your obstacles then victory is possible for them. How can living your vision help position others for success?

If you implement these eight keys, you will accomplish things that will blow your mind and open the eyes of others to see the power of God in action.

Question: How can implementing these eight keys give you victory over your obstacles? Leave a comment below.

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