Three Surprisingly Overcomable Obstacles to Joy and Meaning

Finding Purpose in Chains, Opponents, and Even Death

Perhaps the most grueling and dangerous thing I’ve done in my life to this point is go on a multi-day dirt bike trek through the mountains of North East Cambodia. I spent my teenage and pre-adult years there and had many thrilling adventures, and this trip ranks high on the list. We had to navigate around a mine field at one point, met a guy who’d been attacked by a tiger, and busted a poaching ring. Not a bad amount of life experience to log at only sixteen!

But all those stories will have to wait for another time.

Let me instead draw your attention to the primary (material) reason we didn’t die on this trip: the Honda XR 250. A singular piece of engineering, really. We had to ride dirt bikes to get to our destination because we weren’t really traversing “roads.” Our path looked more like a collection of hazards than anything. There were boulders, sudden chasms, and the occasional random animal crossing in front of us. Dave, the man who led our trip taught us basic rules for trail riding, and therefore survival: keep your pace steady, stay focused on where you want to go (not the obstacle), and maintain confidence. If you hesitate or fixate on the rock right in front of you, you’re going down.

Trust the four-stroke work horse engine beneath you. It has the power to bring you up and over, as long as you keep your eyes on the road and shoulders straight.

Life, often feels like a similar mountain trail. We encounter obstacles that seem impassable—limiting situations, difficult people, and the looming reality of our own mortality. Practical reason would suggest that such obstacles ought to derail and destroy us. But in Philippians 1:12-30, the Apostle Paul explains that this needn’t be the case. Writing from a Roman prison, he shows us how three of life’s most daunting obstacles are surprisingly overcomable when met with a Gospel-centered perspective.

1. The Obstacle of “Chains” (Philippians 1:12-14)

The first obstacle Paul addresses is, in his case, literal: he is in actual chains. In our context, “chains” could be defined as any limiting situation you cannot change—at least not easily or ethically. It might be a chronic health issue, a difficult family dynamic, or a professional plateau. Whatever it is, it sucks, and you are stuck with it. Given the choice, you wouldn’t be in this situation.

For many of us, these limitations feel like the death of our ministry or our joy. But Paul had the perspective and maturity to pivot. He notes that his imprisonment has actually served to advance the Gospel. By being chained to the Roman palace guard, he was reaching a hard-to-reach demographic that he never would have encountered as a free man. In fact, the praetorian guard he led to Christ, likely were forerunners in taking Christianity into the rest of Europe, where it would sweep the continent!

Chains seen from the vantage point of faith must be there for a reason. When we believe there is a divine purpose to our what seemingly holds us back, it fundamentally relieves the stress and anxiety of the limitation. Paul’s chains didn’t just become a means of reaching the guards; they also inspired other believers to be confident and bold in their own faith. I once heard author Jill Briscoe ask, based on this passage, “What are you chained to?”. Whatever it is, God can use that very constraint as a platform for his glory, and a furtherance to his mission.

2. The Obstacle of People with Bad Motives (Philippians 1:15-18)

Nothing sours joy quite like being opposed by people who should be on the same team. Paul acknowledges that other leaders in his day were preaching Christ out of “envy and rivalry,” hoping to stir up trouble for him while he was in prison.

Movement and influence always attract bad players—some things never change. That, or human selfishness leads to a competitive and ungodly spirit, even among people claiming to serve the same God. In these circumstances it’s tempting to enter into a pissing contest or spend all our energy trying to cancel those with impure motives. Paul’s advice, however, is surprising and counter to our cultural moment. He seems to trust that God can work around these people. He refuses to be distracted by their competition or self-promotion. Instead, he seems eager to stay focused on being faithful to God himself.

The application for us is clear: do not waste your spiritual or emotional energy competing with other churches or stressing over so-called believers who oppose you. While there is a time to deal with bad leadership (as seen in 1 Timothy 5:20 or 3 John 10), our primary focus must remain on the work that God has given us to do. We can trust him to deal with opponents. The Gospel is also more powerful than its flawed messengers. If Christ is being preached, then like Paul we can rejoice, knowing that God is big enough to handle the human drama.

3. The Obstacle of Death (Philippians 1:19-26)

Finally, Paul stares down the ultimate obstacle: his own death. He is in an objectively dangerous situation where his life hangs in the balance. He very well may die in Rome. Yet, he speaks with a staggering level of confidence.

Paul’s confidence was rooted in a deep trust in God’s sovereignty and the power of prayer. He says he believed that through these things he would be delivered. And yet, no matter the outcome, he seems confident that he’s going to win. I’m reminded of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s words to Darth Vader: “You can’t with Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.” For Paul, and all Christians for that matter, these words are actually true. To live means to be empowered by and serve Jesus Christ, and to die is to gain the bliss of heaven. Paul was more than fine with either outcome because he knew death is not the end. It’s actually the moment he gets to be with Jesus and his trials end. This is the nature of Christian invincibility.

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We only roll over life’s obstacles, however, if we are after the right things. If your goal is personal comfort or reputation, then, “chains” will in fact stop you, and enemies probably ought to be feared. But if your focus is on God’s mission, the fruit of the spirit, and eternal life, you can roll right over these, and even face death with courage.

We often quote verses like Romans 8:28 (”all things work together for good”) or Jeremiah 29:11 (”plans to prosper you”) without acknowledging that each assume certain conditions. In the case of Romans, this promise is for “those called according to his purpose.” Jeremiah was speaking to the people of Israel in exile, and enduring God’s discipline for their sins. Things won’t work out for us just because we adopt a positive mindset. Our confidence must be in God’s power to deliver us and make the most of our circumstances for the purpose of his glory. Only then can we receive every obstacle with eager hope, knowing that he will bring us smoothly to the other side.

He’s far more reliable, even than an XR 250.