1 Thessalonians 2:18
Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.
This verse emphasizes the importance of increasing our sensitivity to the Holy Spirit we will know how to handle obstacles. Acts 16:7 said, “After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.” Here is an example of where Paul and his company could not proceed because the Holy Spirit would not allow them. We do not need to “pray through” doors closed by the Lord. However, we should not quit when it is Satan hindering us . Paul sent Timothy when he was unable to go to Thessalonica and it brought comfort to Paul when Timothy brought back a good report. As we continue to read his letter, we see where Paul indicated that he had not given up on making the trip to visit the Thessalonians. He did not give up because he knew it was the devil who didn’t want him to make it there. So, let us fellowship with the Lord continuously through prayer, worship, meditation and waiting in His presence so we can learn to discern when to pray through a situation because it is the devil, or stay away because it is the Holy Spirit stopping us.