Setbacks have away of leaving me feeling defeated. Things go along smoothly for an extended time. Then, wham, the rug is pulled out and I feel like I am starting over.
This happened recently. I knew something wasn’t right when I woke up that morning. I felt agitated. I felt tears just under the surface. Later that day, I heard the tone of voice that sent my nervous system into aOnce full on panic.
It had been a good two years since that kind of reaction had happened. I thought I was past it. I have been working hard on understanding my triggers and rewiring my nervous system. A month ago, the same situation would have solicited little to no response. What happened? Why the setback?
I will likely never know why the setback happened, and after a short pity party, it motivated me. This scripture is what I leaned on. The suffering required my perseverance. It required my willingness to hold on for what is next.
2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b]boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:2-5 NIV).
What is next? A growth spurt is what is next. Setbacks can leave us feeling like failures. They make us want to give up on the entire process. Our motivation tanks. If we are willing to persevere, setbacks are usually followed by a growth spurt. I’m hanging in for the growth spurt.
How do you react to setbacks? Do you let them stop your progress? Do you let them tank your motivation? Do you dig in and work harder? Do you persevere? Share you experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.