For years, it was believed that no one would ever run one mile in under four minutes. Many had tried, but everyone failed. Most believed that the human
body could not be developed to break that barrier.
Roger Bannister, however, was different. He didn’t let that barrier stop him. He was so convinced it could be done that he continued to push the limits.
On May 6, 1954, it happened. At the age of 25, Roger Bannister beat the clock and made history. He proved that the human body could withstand the pace
and run one mile in under four minutes. Soon afterward, many others broke the same barrier many once believed impossible.
Like the four minute mile, the sound barrier seemed like an impenetrable wall. When a pilot came close to the speed of sound, his airplane began to shake
so violently he thought it would disintegrate. Then, on October 14, 1947, Chuck Yeager stepped into an X-1 and once again history was made. Although
it was a rough ride up to the sound barrier, after it was broken he found a smooth and quiet ride on the other side.
There has been a similar barrier erected against believers. It is a barrier designed to prevent believers from moving into the magnitude of strength and
victory Jesus made available. These limitations can affect every area of a Christian’s life. Dennis calls it the battle of containment. Satan
erects barriers that are designed to stop us and keep us from advancing in life.
One of these barriers is in the area of finances. Financial pressure is one of the major causes of strain in marriage, distress in families, and frustration
in many of God’s people. God’s Word instructs us how to overcome pressure
and break down the barriers of lack.
Jesus made a powerful statement about the effect our priorities have on material success. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and
all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33 NKJV).
Our first priority must be to seek God and His ways, and then we will be in position to see His power released. God always expects our priorities to be
His priorities. Then, all of the things can be added to us. The things are not the problem. God wants us to have things. The point He is making
is that proper order of our priorities must be maintained.
Our second priority is to our personal self-worth. It is hard, if not impossible, to obtain and to maintain a breakthrough if we do not see ourselves worthy
of what God has promised us. We must meditate on who we are in Christ to break limitations in our finances.
Our third priority is to flourish in our family relationships. We cannot expect the blessing of God on our lives if we don’t tend to our families. First
Timothy 5:8 says, “But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are
worse than unbelievers” (NLT).
We must maintain these priorities in order to increase in other areas of life.
