Day 20: Overcoming Setbacks

"Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light."

– Micah 7:8(NIV)

Reflection

Life doesn’t always go as planned. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, things just go wrong. And so, we’ve all experienced setbacks — moments where it feels like the ground beneath us has shifted. Maybe it was a failed business, a marriage that didn’t last, a job loss, a shattered dream, or a personal disappointment. Just when things were finally falling into place, suddenly, it all came crashing down. And when this happens the natural response is frustration, sadness, or even despair and confusion about what’s next. Today, here are two things I want us to hold tightly to:

Setbacks don’t define us – God does.

Starting over is not starting from scratch.

Setbacks may slow us down, but they do not disqualify us. Failure is feedback, not a conviction that condemns us to eternal punishment. They do not mean that God has abandoned us or that His plans for us are over. In fact, God specializes in turning setbacks into setups for something greater. Joseph’s life must have been perfect. Loved and adored by his father he was the envy of his brothers, and not to mention those glorifying dreams! And then “everything fell apart”. But through it all, God was positioning him for something far greater than he could have imagined. The prison was not his final destination—the palace was.

Confident, outspoken and deeply loyal Peter denied his best friend and Lord three times. That failure must have shaken him to his core. Yet, after the resurrection, Jesus restored him, and Peter became a foundational leader in the early church (Acts 2). His setback didn’t disqualify him; it prepared him.

High-net-worth individual Job lost everything including his children. But in the end, God restored him beyond what he had before. His suffering brought him into a deeper knowledge of who God is, and his latter days were more blessed than his former.

And our Lover-Lord, Jesus Himself. His crucifixion seemed like the ultimate setback—His followers were devastated, His enemies thought they had won. But what looked like a defeat was actually the greatest victory in history. His resurrection changed everything.

Your setback might feel like a dead end, but it’s not the end of your story. It’s a transition. A preparation. A refining process. You are not defined by what didn’t work out. You are defined by God’s promises and the strength He is building in you.

When we go through difficult seasons, we can either let them break us or let them teach us. Setbacks show us more about who we are, who God is, and how much we need Him. They force us to let go of our self-reliance and lean into God’s grace.

Starting over is not starting with nothing. You carry with you everything you’ve learned—the skills, wisdom, experiences, and even the resilience that came from that setback. It may feel like you’re at square one, but you’re not the same person who began this journey. God has been shaping you, teaching you, and equipping you for what’s next.

That business that failed? You learned something. That relationship that didn’t work? It taught you. That opportunity that slipped through your fingers? It prepared you. You are stronger now.

God is not done with your story. He is still working, still restoring, still leading you toward the purpose He has for you. So, rise again, not as someone defeated, but as someone refined. What didn’t break you, God will use to build you.

So, here’s what we can do when setbacks come:

• Shift Your Perspective: Instead of seeing a failure, see a lesson. Instead of seeing an ending, see a redirection. Trust that God is leading you toward something better.

• Hold onto God’s Promises: His Word is filled with reminders that He is with us even in our lowest moments. Meditate on scriptures like Romans 8:28, which assures us that God works all things for good.

• Take the Next Step: Even if it’s a small step, move forward in faith. Don’t let setbacks keep you stuck. Pray, seek wisdom, and trust God’s timing.

• Write down a significant setback you’ve experienced. What did you learn from it? How has God used it to shape you?

• List the skills, wisdom, or strengths you have gained from past setbacks.

• Setbacks can feel isolating. Reach out to someone who may also be struggling. Share a word of encouragement or pray for them.

Father, thank You because setbacks are not the end of my story. Even when I fall, I will rise because You are my light. Thank You for everything You get to teach me in times that are challenging. Help me to see my challenges as preparation, not as failures. Give me the strength to move forward, trusting that You are working all things for my good. I choose to rise again, to hold onto hope, and to walk boldly in the new beginnings You have for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Action Step

Prayer