This is an expression which means that the desired outcome or answer we need is very difficult to attain to because their is a major problem in the known solution that may cause us to never fully realise the answer! Make sense?? Let me explain using a biblical Catch-22.
In the book of ACTS, Paul and Silas are advancing the Kingdom and have just been persecuted and run out of town in Thessalonica for proclaiming Jesus as Messiah. They are whisked away to Berea and begin to proclaim the Word of God again to more noble men and women who searched the Scriptures daily to see if what they were declaring was true. But Catch-22 flares up again! Opposition is stirred up when the people begin to see influential leaders - women and men - come to Christ. Look at what happened: Acts 17:13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds.
Here is the CATCH-22 in expanding the Kingdom:
Expansion requires proclaimation of the Word of God into a region but the Powers of Darkness will always contend for Kingdom expansion!
In other words - progress can be costly! I believe this is the reason why many believers become stunted in their growth. They begin to make progress by God's grace and then start to make bigger commitments to expansion, personally and in the community of faith they belong to - but then comes the BACKLASH! They take some hits and begin to "connect the dots" and start to back off. After all - nobody enjoys backlash of any kind. I know I certainly don't! This is why I call this the CATCH-22 principle. We know the solution to Kingdom expansion is further proclamation of the Word of God - but contained in the solution is the inevitable BACKLASH from the enemy!
There is a COST in advancement - "the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence but the violent take it by force" - Matt 11:12. As we learn this we must also learn the answer to our CATCH-22:
STAY ONE STEP AHEAD OF OUR ENEMIES!
This means we know backlash is coming so it is time to ARMOUR UP - Ephesians 6:1111 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.It's time to gain a 'warrior mindset'. War can be brutal but in order to win we must carry a WARRIOR mindset and harden up and beware of the schemes of the enemy! If you want to take ground off your enemy you must be ready for battle. The great thing is that God has provided us with the "weapons of warfare that are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of every stronghold" - 2Cor 10:4. We can maintain a 'winning edge'.
NEVER BACK DOWN - Friends do not allow the enemy of your soul to intimidate you into a place of INACTIVITY in the KOG. STAY ONE STEP AHEAD - BE STRONG, BE FEARLESS and take your place in the ARMY of GOD!
I went through a season of becoming weary and worn down by the constant backlash in my life and began to take my foot off the throttle. I realised I was no longer advancing the kingdom of God because I had become intimidated by this CATCH-22 situation. I had to repent and turn back to The Lord in order to fulfill my destiny in God. Some of you may be in the same boat as I was. I would like you to pray this following prayer and break off the enemies stranglehold:
"Dear Lord Jesus, I come to you in humble adoration today. I recognise I have been caught in this CATCH-22 of being worn down by the enemies backlash against my life. I repent before you for being intimidated by Satan's wiles and schemes. Please forgive me now. I now take up the full armour of God and declare advancement over my life, my family, my employment, my business. I will not back down any longer, but I shall advance your Kingdom by your Grace and power in my life. I declare over my life the blood of Jesus and Angelic protection and activity, that offers me your protection. Finally I declare 'YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN!' I now offer myself for your KINGDOM PURPOSES and ADVANCEMENT in Jesus mighty name. Amen!"