The story has been told, whether true or not, I'm not certain (I can't seem to find the source of this story but that doesn't take away from its impact), that a behavioral experiment was performed using a live Barracuda in a glass tank.
One of the favorite foods of Barracudas (known for being voracious predators) are Anchovies. And the big, mean behavioral scientists conducting this experiment designed the tank with a removable glass partition so that the Barracuda was on one side of the tank, and a small school of Anchovies were on the other.
Spotting the Anchovies, the Barracuda would move in for a hearty treat, only to bump its nose against an invisible barrier. Try as it could, it would only wind up with a sore proboscis when it tried to score a tasty snack.
After numerous attempts, the Barracuda quit trying to snag its prey.
Then, the big mean scientists decided to add insult to injury by removing the glass partition from between the Barracuda and the Anchovies. Having learned its impotence in being able to score an easy meal, the Barracuda would placidly swim past the Anchovies without so much as a meager attempt to score a mouthful. The Barracuda had been tricked out of its natural instinct by being deliberately thwarted over and over.
Often, humans are no different than this hapless fish. We get the message when we attempt to reach a particular goal and continue to be foiled. We give up trying. We start to build a shell around ourselves and begin to insulate ourselves from even the thought of achieving, in many instances.
It is in our human weakness that we collide with unattainable prospects. This was not intended from the beginning. God designed us to be princes and kings, but sin waylaid us and presented us with difficulties so insurmountable that many folks are paralyzed at the prospect of even making an attempt to conquer them.
When I discover myself in times of doubt, fear and uncertainty, I find the following passages to be of great comfort...
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 - NIV).
"Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (John 19:26 - NIV)
From these passages, I glean that there is Someone bigger than my problems, standing and facing them with me. At the place where I end, God begins.
What frustrations have you faced in your life that make you feel unable to cope? What goals have you failed to meet that should be within your reach? God cares about your plight. Renew your covenant with Him today through Christ if you have found yourself in a place of barrenness and obstruction. Let God help you break through the formidable barriers in your life.
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