August 27 | How Can I Overcome Setbacks?
Romans 8:37, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
We overcome our setbacks in the Christian life by trusting in God’s promises, relying on the Holy Spirit and finding comfort in His love for us. Tests and trials shouldn’t be strange or come as a surprise to the Christian; they are a part of life. Peter said, “12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-13).
Setbacks in life can be God’s setup for new and better things. So don’t let your present situations determine your identity- God is on the move. You just have to stay faithful and God will make you fruitful!
Lester Sumrall once said, “If you don’t quit, you win!” Don’t let your problems change who you think you are in Christ and make you want to quit serving God. For example, just because you have money problems it doesn’t mean you’re not blessed. Or when you face tragic times it doesn’t change the fact that you are still a child of the King! Problems come and go, but who you are remains forever because you belong to God.
In today’s passage Paul said that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. If we’re in Christ, every battle has already been won. We’re just here proclaiming the victory and taking the land. David also said in Psalm 23:5, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” Why? Because God is fighting the battle for you! You get the reward of someone else’s work- that’s how you’re more than a conqueror. God is your Father, Jesus is your Savior and the Holy Spirit is your source of power. Let God make your tests your testimonies.
Whatever situations God has brought you to, He will bring you through! You may be in a valley that has the shadow of death all around, but you will go through the valley and reach the mountaintop on the other side. And in the midst of all your hurt and weaknesses, Jesus’ rod and staff will comfort you. Jesus promised He’d never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).
Here are some easy things to remember next time you feel like giving up; (1) God is with you- you’re not alone. (2) Everything is “Father-filtered”- nothing is happening without His involvement. (3) Tests and trials are only temporary but God’s love for you is eternal. Therefore, it may be true we as Christians face hardships in life, but we will never have to face them alone- God loves us and that makes us more than conquerors!
Reflection
Action
- Repent of any self-pity or doubt you may feel in your times of trouble.
- Pray and ask God to comfort you in your times of hardship.
- Don’t grow weary in doing good because if you don’t quit, you win (Galatians 6:9).