Devotional

“We are continually faced by great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems.” —Lee Iacocca  

 Lee Iacocca, the son of an Italian immigrant, started out as an engineer for Ford Motor Company, quickly moved into sales, and was promoted from general manager in 1960 to president in 1970. But what happened after he was let go from Ford in 1978 sealed his legacy and boosted him to celebrity status.  

 In the same year he was fired from Ford, Iacocca was hired as president of the then-struggling Chrysler Corporation. A year later, he added Chairman of the Board to his title. And through a series of gambles with the government (asking for aid money), product, and productivity, Iacocca turned Chrysler around—into a massive money-making machine!  

 Iacocca turned his roadblocks into detours.  

 And you can too. God promises it when He says,  

 “‘For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11). 

 What stands before you as a roadblock today? At home — in the office — in your service and ministry — in your relationships? No matter what it is, trust the Lord. God will see you through to the other side. Your greatest obstacle might just lead to an amazing opportunity you never saw coming.  

 When you feel stopped, feet glued to the floor, don’t let discouragement set in or overwhelm you. Determine to stay the course. Trust that the Lord has your best in mind and seek Him with fervor! What is He trying to tell you? Is the roadblock a solid “no” from Him … or maybe just a “not now”? Is He directing you in another way?  

 Use the time of waiting to grow in your faith, draw closer to the Lord, seek godly counsel and mentorship. Serve in a new capacity. 

 God is faithful. He sees the end from the beginning, which you cannot. One day, you will look back and see that the obstacle was just His way of directing your path into His glorious, promised future for you.  

 My prayer this week—Lord, help me not grow discouraged by the obstacles in my path. Help me see them as opportunities to seek you, grow in you, and trust your heart. I understand that what I see as an obstacle might be leading me to an incredible open door, something I never dreamed or imagined. Lord, I trust you!