As a pastor, I’ve had the privilege of sharing in the joy of countless numbers of people who, after life has dealt a great deal with them, received a major turn around. The common denominator in all of these experiences is the truth that sometimes, God allows some temporary setbacks in our lives to bring a major comeback. Truly, the set backs are a set-up for a major comeback!
One truth you must never forget as a child of God is that, “all things work together for your good…” (1 Corinthians 2:9). Sometimes, I wish we all have the privilege of living life in retrospect. The things we are agitated about today would be the very things we would be appreciating God for. Our journey with God is ordained to be upwards and forward but the processes sometimes do not look like it.
“For you, O God, have proved us: you have tried us, as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid affliction upon our loins. You have caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but you brought us out into a wealthy place” (Psalms 66:10-12). This is perhaps a description of what a lot of people experience in life. The end is “a wealthy place”; a place of rich fulfilment, a place of glory. But the process is not. Learn to differentiate the process from the product.
While we often focus on the present, God is always working us towards a glorious future. This is why we must live life focusing on where we are going to with God, not what we are going through in life. For Jesus, “…he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem” (Luke 13:22). Our focus must be what and where we are journeying towards in God.
“And Joseph was brought down to Egypt…” (Genesis 39:1). If you look at the above scripture, you would have thought that an end has come to Joseph and his dreams as he was brought down to Egypt. It is only afterwards that you would see the wisdom of God in allowing such a setback in his life. The downward journey was the process through which he would be elevated to the throne as the Prime Minister of Egypt (Genesis 41:41-46).
“He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things” (Ephesians 4:10). Jesus descended (temporarily) that He might ascend and fill everywhere! I want to encourage you today to gain the right perspective about whatever setback you might be experiencing right now; be it in business, career, marriage and life generally. I want you to know that it is a divine set-up for a major comeback. Stay in faith. You will succeed!
© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria