You thought that person who gave their word was going to come through for you but they didn’t. The promotion was yours and it went to someone else. It was down to you and one other candidate for the job opportunity you had been working for weeks, and you were second in line. Maybe, your marriage didn’t make it or the diagnosis came back with the results you prayed it wouldn’t.
We all continually face setbacks. I wanted to share three P’s to dealing with a setback that have hit home with me with a hope that they will give you encouragement and perspective.
3 P’s for Dealing with Setbacks
Providence – There is a big God who holds the universe in the palm of his hand who loves you unconditionally. He is large and in charge! God wants you to take him up on his promises to you. Want to find out what his promises are? I would encourage you to pick up the best selling book of all time…the Bible! It packed cover to cover with God’s promises and examples of his amazing providence. I love this verse when thinking about his providence. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Provision – “For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” – Luke 12:23-25 The bottom line is that God will provide for you when you believe that he can and will. This peace has helped many to avoid bad decisions made out of difficult circumstances.
Protection – We should all realize that what we may perceive as a setback could be God’s protection or a refining process. God is still at work even in the unanswered prayers. We all can take comfort in knowing that the opportunities that we move forward in and the ones that disappear are God guiding our steps. The verse in Revelations 3:7 helps me keep this in perspective, “This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open.” Additionally, it always refreshes me to know that “since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” – Romans 5:1-5
If you have recently experienced situation…setback, then my hope for you is that you will embrace and be inspired to boldly move forward know the three P’s.
If you have recently experienced situation…setback, then my hope for you is that you will embrace and be inspired to boldly move forward know the three P’s.
John C. Bain 