Every time an obstacle comes across our path, we need to say what my dad used to say: “This is just another opportunity to prove that God’s Word works!” Every obstacle is an opportunity. Looking at life’s obstacles that way will change our perspective. It will change how we feel and talk. It will change everything!

Joshua learned the secret of seeing things nobody else could see. God told him to “meditate on [the Word] day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do” (Joshua 1:8 NLT).

Seeing things that no one else can see is what Paul talked about when he told us to look at the unseen realm (2 Cor. 4:18). WHEN OTHERS ARE LOOKING AT THE OBSTACLES, WE’RE LOOKING AT THE OPPORTUNITIES.

Joshua and Caleb saw themselves living in the Promised Land, and they eventually possessed the land. I’ve heard my dad say thousands of times, “See yourself with what you need. See yourself healed. See yourself without lack. See yourself blessed.” In other words, see yourself possessing what God’s Word says is yours.

When Joshua led the next generation of Israelites into the Promised Land to possess it, the circumstances and obstacles had not changed. Giants and fortified cities were still in the land. But this new group focused on God’s Word instead of the circumstances.

When the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, the first obstacle they faced was the walled city of Jericho. But God told Joshua, “I have given Jericho into your hand” (Joshua 6:2 NKJV).

This generation of Israelites listened to God’s instructions and obeyed them. He told them to march around the city once every day for six days. On the seventh day, they were to march around Jericho seven times, and seven priests were to blow trumpets. When the people heard the trumpets, they were supposed to shout, and the walls of the city would fall down.

The Israelites focused on the unseen thing God told them would happen if they obeyed His instructions. When they did as God said, the walls fell down flat. Then they went in and took possession of the city (Joshua 6:3–20)! They didn’t look at the large, walled city as an obstacle. They focused on the opportunity God gave them by looking at the unseen, and they went on to take the land.

When Caleb was 40 years old, Moses promised him all the land where he placed his foot. Forty-five years later Caleb said to Joshua, “Give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day” (Joshua 14:12 NKJV). The mountain he wanted had giants in it, but he didn’t focus on the giants. Instead, he looked at the opportunity of having that beautiful mountain as his possession. He looked at the fruit growing there and imagined how nice it would be to build his house overlooking the plains where his relatives lived.

Caleb had meditated on having his mountain all the time he was in the wilderness. Forty years of wandering with that group of unbelieving people did not change his way of thinking. He didn’t become discouraged; he kept looking at the promise. He saw the situation the way God saw it. And God gave Caleb his mountain!

Possessing the Promises

God created us to rule and reign in life, not to be dominated and reigned over. Christ won the battle for us by defeating Satan. But we must “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12) to receive the victory God has for us. This fight involves three basic areas:

1. You must fight to believe something. The devil will do everything he can to get you not to believe God’s Word. Fight for your beliefs by continually feeding upon the Word.
2. You must fight to say something. When the devil whispers something in your ear, refute those thoughts immediately by saying what the Word says.
3. You must fight to do something. It’s important that you act as though the Word is true. God wants you to act like the victor He created you to be—not cast down or defeated.