The Obstacle is the Way
Interrupting our pesky Brain.

Jonathan Grubbs • Associate Pastor
September 19, 2026

4 Minute Read

One thing we all share is that our hearts and heads are not exactly where we would like them to be.

Here are some things that seem to come up over and over again in the counseling environment:

- “It feels as though it’s one thing after another.”

- “I know I should love myself, but I don’t.”

- “It’s easier to care for others than it is to care for myself.”

Then there’s the positive. Even as we express these struggles, we're aware of our progress. This is when we recognize how far we have come, even as we still want to grow more.

This is a hopeful place but still very much a place of disillusionment.

Here’s the long and the short of it... We're each finding ourselves stuck in thinking patterns and ways of being and speaking that we want to change.

And I think we’re honing in on that simple question. Could I change my thinking for the better?

Could I dare to believe in better things, better days, etc.

Marcus Aurelius reiterated something from the book of James about trials. He didn’t know he was espousing Christian values, but he was... specifically when he said “The Obstacle is the way.” (This is in line with James 1:2-4)

The first step to getting better is embracing failure and suffering.

Sound counterintuitive?

Let me explain.

Here’s the classic loop:

- We want to do better; we try to do better; we do... but imperfectly, and then sometimes we don’t.

Add to that unexpected ER visits, the IRS, cancer, natural disasters, hurts, habits, hang-ups... and the odds start to feel stacked against our success.

But when “the obstacle is the way,” or as James says, “our trials become all joy,” the odds look better because these things no longer become interruptions to growth, but fertilizer.

Now you’re probably following me so far but asking yourself... how? How can I change my brain to think in such a very counterintuitive way?

The answer is something I believe I’m closing in on, but the basic concept is awakening to a very cool reality: your youness and your brain are two different things.

When God says to love Him with all your heart, mind, and soul, the Hebrew word for soul there is nephesh. It’s essentially your youness. I’m Jonny not because of the neurons firing in my brain; they are physiological byproducts of being part of the human species.

And if I can interrupt my thinking long enough for my nephesh to tell my brain it’s not in charge, your brain will actually change, and over time it will become more natural to live from a place of “The Obstacle is the way.”

I’m listening to a book right now by Christian neurosurgeon Lee Warren. Cool story about God confirming this book as part of the DNA of Sessions of Hope and Stronger Still Biblical Counseling, but that’s for another time.

What I aim to do is pare down his journaling/self-brain surgery resources to make them as turnkey as possible for our context.

The context of you and me walking alongside each other to get better and take control of our brains.

But start by separating your own failure and the bad stuff that happens to you from what you have to think.

Your brain will fill in the gaps based on physiology and fight-or-flight dynamics, but that doesn't have to be the final word. When the brain spits out a story of panic, re-story it into a foe your mission is to vanquish. And please don't mistake this for “the power of positive thinking.”

I'll go into more details, but for now just know this framework will be all about neuroscience and Paul’s idea of taking every thought captive.

So let's start there. Separate the negative spillover of the pink thing in your skull from you. God made you in His image. The Gospel brings out a deeper you that is better than those knee-jerk thoughts.

Bibliography

Aurelius, Marcus. Meditations. Translated by Martin Hammond, Penguin Books, 2006. (Regarding the philosophical parallel of reframing obstacles, specifically Book 5, Section 20: "The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.")

Warren, Lee. Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things. WaterBrook, 2023.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. ESV Bible Systems, 2001 (inclusive of James 1:2–4 regarding counting trials as joy).

Family Life Radio // Hope is the First Dose // W. Lee Warren (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI6vRGzruQY)

This video provides an insightful discussion with Dr. Lee Warren on applying the principles of neuroplasticity and faith to re-story our minds through trauma and hardship.

Stay connected by subscribing below so you never miss an update.

Subscribe to Blog Updates

By subscribing, you agree to receive email communication from Church by the Sea. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Up Next
From this Collection: Blog
Currently Reading
September 19, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
The Obstacle is the Way
One thing we all share is that our hearts and heads are not exactly where we would like them to be. Here are some things that seem to come up over and over again in the counseling environment: - “It feels as though it’s one thing after another.” - “I know I should love myself, but I don’t.” - “It’s easier to care for others than it is to care for myself.” Then there’s the positive. Even as we express these struggles, we're aware of our progress. This is when we recognize how far we have come, even as we still want to grow more. This is a hopeful place but still very much a place of disillusionment. Here’s the long and the short of it... We're each finding ourselves stuck in thinking patterns and ways of being and speaking that we want to change. And I think we’re honing in on that simple question. Could I change my thinking for the better? Could I dare to believe in better things, better days, etc. Marcus Aurelius reiterated something from the book of James about trials. He didn’t know he was espousing Christian values, but he was... specifically when he said “The Obstacle is the way.” (This is in line with James 1:2-4) The first step to getting better is embracing failure and suffering. Sound counterintuitive? Let me explain. Here’s the classic loop: - We want to do better; we try to do better; we do... but imperfectly, and then sometimes we don’t. Add to that unexpected ER visits, the IRS, cancer, natural disasters, hurts, habits, hang-ups... and the odds start to feel stacked against our success. But when “the obstacle is the way,” or as James says, “our trials become all joy,” the odds look better because these things no longer become interruptions to growth, but fertilizer. Now you’re probably following me so far but asking yourself... how? How can I change my brain to think in such a very counterintuitive way? The answer is something I believe I’m closing in on, but the basic concept is awakening to a very cool reality: your youness and your brain are two different things. When God says to love Him with all your heart, mind, and soul, the Hebrew word for soul there is nephesh. It’s essentially your youness. I’m Jonny not because of the neurons firing in my brain; they are physiological byproducts of being part of the human species. And if I can interrupt my thinking long enough for my nephesh to tell my brain it’s not in charge, your brain will actually change, and over time it will become more natural to live from a place of “The Obstacle is the way.” I’m listening to a book right now by Christian neurosurgeon Lee Warren. Cool story about God confirming this book as part of the DNA of Sessions of Hope and Stronger Still Biblical Counseling, but that’s for another time. What I aim to do is pare down his journaling/self-brain surgery resources to make them as turnkey as possible for our context. The context of you and me walking alongside each other to get better and take control of our brains. But start by separating your own failure and the bad stuff that happens to you from what you have to think. Your brain will fill in the gaps based on physiology and fight-or-flight dynamics, but that doesn't have to be the final word. When the brain spits out a story of panic, re-story it into a foe your mission is to vanquish. And please don't mistake this for “the power of positive thinking.” I'll go into more details, but for now just know this framework will be all about neuroscience and Paul’s idea of taking every thought captive. So let's start there. Separate the negative spillover of the pink thing in your skull from you. God made you in His image. The Gospel brings out a deeper you that is better than those knee-jerk thoughts. Bibliography Aurelius, Marcus. Meditations. Translated by Martin Hammond, Penguin Books, 2006. (Regarding the philosophical parallel of reframing obstacles, specifically Book 5, Section 20: "The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.") Warren, Lee. Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things. WaterBrook, 2023. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. ESV Bible Systems, 2001 (inclusive of James 1:2–4 regarding counting trials as joy). Family Life Radio // Hope is the First Dose // W. Lee Warren (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI6vRGzruQY) This video provides an insightful discussion with Dr. Lee Warren on applying the principles of neuroplasticity and faith to re-story our minds through trauma and hardship.

Jonathan Grubbs

Associate Pastor

June 17, 2026 • 6 Minute Read
Exile
Living in Exile: Hope, Identity, and Resisting Babylon We all live in exile. If it often feels like you don't belong in this world as it is, it's because you don't. In 1 Peter 2:9–12, believers are called "temporary residents and foreigners" warned to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against our soul. To understand what it means for a Christian to live in exile, we have to grasp its history. The ancient Israelites found themselves conquered by Babylon, living in exile far from their homeland. Surprisingly, even when they finally traveled back, the prophets continued to refer to them as exiles because they were home, but not really. They were still ruled by oppressive empires and trapped in the same corrupt ways. Because of this, exile became a spiritual reality and an archetype—a universal symbol for alienation and a longing for something more. In the Bible, exile is the human condition until Christ returns. We are sojourners in a foreign land longing for a better home. Jesus of Nazareth wandered without a home, announcing a great restoration and promising in John 14:2, "In my Father's house there are many rooms." Until that day, Peter gives us core principles for navigating our current reality ... namely that ... What we hope for is what we live for. To live in the light of God's presence, we must live like God exists and live in the light of Jesus' return. Here are the three precepts for navigating life in exile: 1. Remember Who and Whose You Are The first step is remembering who you are and who you belong to. First Peter reminds us: "You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation... Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people." Identity dictates behavior. While out with my five-year-old daughter, Zoe, I was playing the role of my usual goofy self—singing and dancing by the car. In a hushed, embarrassed tone, she whispered, "Dad, stop. We're at the store. Don't embarrass me." She later reminded me of a past tea party, saying, "You slurped tea at that tea party. That's not fancy. You need to be fancy." Zoe was highly attuned to identity and playing the part for the settings I’m in. She knew that the goofy dad needed to stay home so that the public shopping dad could take the spotlight. Observing her commitment to living into a specific role raises a challenging question: Do we have that same commitment to live into our identity in Christ? When we have a complete understanding of who we are because of Jesus, we live differently. Certain behaviors from the old life pass away because that is simply not who we are anymore. We are set apart, and set-apart people reject the darkness of past pain because what we hope for is what we live for. 2. Resist "Babylon" The second precept for living as a Christian in exile is to resist "Babylon"—the sinful aspects of the culture we face day to day. We are in the same situation as Daniel was in Babylon as Christians in an increasingly post-Christian society. In Daniel chapter one, the Babylonian empire asked Daniel and his friends to eat things that would go against their faith, defying God’s laws. While many others just went with the new culture fearing for their lives, Daniel and his friends refused to disobey. They asked for a few days to eat vegetables and fruits to obey God, and God honored their decision to remain faithful. They were healthier than the others as a result of their obedience. Resisting Babylon today goes against the grain. Babylon says it's about you and your convenience, but the kingdom of God says it's about sacrifice and laying down our life for our master Jesus. It means resisting the world's values—whether that means refusing to cheat on your taxes because others do, or staying committed to a marriage when it gets tough. Every breath is a second chance, and it is never too late to start again. 3. Represent the Kingdom of Christ Abstaining from a sinful culture is about what we don't do, but verse 12 moves into what we are meant to do: "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God." It is not enough for us to resist evil; we have to promote the love, compassion, and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. Resisting Babylon is just cleaning house, but representing the holy nation of Christ is refurnishing. Simply abstaining from evil is meaningless if we do not partake in the holiness of Christ. In Luke chapter 11, Jesus warns that when an unclean spirit leaves a house and finds it swept and put in order but empty, it returns with seven other spirits more evil than itself. If we make room for Jesus but don't ask him to take residence in us, other things will take that empty space. We are challenged in 2 Corinthians 5:20 as ambassadors for Christ. We must ask ourselves: Are we serving others? Are our words becoming of an ambassador? Are we patient with difficult people? Do people see us as the church, living out what we hope for? Conclusion: Taking Spiritual Inventory Sometimes we just get a little too comfy here on earth, and we forget that we are just passing through. If we forget who and whose we are, we'll get lost. If we fail to resist Babylon, we will become like it. If we fail to represent God's kingdom, we won't be directing people to the hope we hold on to. There is a story of a man who got lost driving around. Refusing to ask for directions, he made his own custom turns and judgment calls. He approached a sign that said “Do Not Enter,” but because the road looked clear, he decided to go anyway. Things seemed fine until he came upon the back of a similar sign. It read: “Welcome back, stupid.” It was the back of the do not enter sign had ignored! He had the opportunity to change direction, but he didn't. Without Christ's directions, we too will find ourselves going around in circles. The Bible warns, "Be careful if you think you stand, lest you fall." Even as believers, we can drift off course and find ourselves tempted to live life in cahoots with Babylon. Take a spiritual inventory today and adjust your course. If you do not know where you stand in your faith, you can resist Babylon today, recognize you were made for the kingdom of God, and totally change the direction of your life. Being in exile means being different. What are you hoping for? Because what we hope for is what we live for. And hope promotes the defiant whimsy which says Christ has the final word of Love. And that is worth throwing some confetti for 🎉

Jonathan Grubbs

Associate Pastor