“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel…”
Philippians 1:12
When setbacks happen, our natural response can be frustration, even anger. We had a vision for where we were heading and a specific plan of action…then things just veered off track. This can be a small impediment, like hitting every red light on your way to an important appointment, or a more substantial obstacle—a frightening medical report or an unexpected layoff.
As he was writing to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul was in prison, literally chained around the clock to a Roman guard. And this certainly wasn’t where he expected to be in his vision for advancing the gospel. But he wasn’t frustrated or angry at all. In fact, Paul saw his imprisonment as purposeful to God’s strategy. Now that’s the kind of attitude to have.
Can we do this? How can we see our trials and tribulations as progressions? It’s all about perspective, really. About looking around at the situation and the people involved to see how it could be used to glorify God. All those red lights? Perhaps the Lord is timing your trip to avoid a wreck or get you to your appointment just in time to connect someone who needs to hear your friendly, “Hello.” That layoff? Maybe a coworker needs to see what a Christian really looks like, as you handle the news with grace and godly confidence. (And, just maybe, the Lord has something much better in store for you—and He knew you’d never leave on your own.)
A change of circumstances, seemingly backward, can really be creating spiritual progress, so we end up exactly where He wants us. It’s all part of God’s curriculum in the classroom of our lives.
Are you in the midst of a reversal right now? It’s likely that the Lord is orchestrating it so He can advance your life or the life of someone you’ve come in contact with because of that reversal. So, sisters, let’s look around with this fresh perspective and take on a new attitude of grace and gratefulness in every situation.
encouraged by grace 