Have you ever been discouraged by setbacks? Ever felt like giving up when something is harder than expected?
Someone told me once that setbacks a normal part of the process of breakthrough. She said that setbacks are even to be expected when change happens, or when you are under particular strain, so it’s a really good idea to plan what to do when they come, which may well be going back to the doing same things all over again!
You probably know that I’ve been working on a process of gradual exposure therapy in driving (you can read a post about that here). I’ve had a couple of setbacks in driving lately. I was surprised by journeys that were really hard, when old battles came back. I came up against horrible anxiety again, only now it was on the motorway, which is why I’ve been avoiding motorways for so long. The strength of the anxiety threw me, because I thought I’d got past that point. I came home tearful and trembling.
But, as I thought and prayed about the setbacks, I realised that I think it’s actually a good thing that I go through this process thoroughly: to work this through and pray it through so that the progress will be strong and lasting, rather than built on a shaky foundation.
If I’m honest, I’m also still recovering from some negative feedback about a creative project, which cut deep and made me wonder whether I should just give up. But the question comes down to this: do I believe God has called me to do this project? If I seek Him and the answer is no, then I should move forward and do what He really is calling me to do. But, if the answer is yes, then choosing to give up is disobedience. I guess that the right thing to do is be humble, listen and learn, grow, soak in God’s love and encouragement, and keep going. I can learn from setbacks if I choose to.
And actually, as I wait on the Lord, I think that His values are different from those of the systems around us, because He looks at the hearts of those who trust in Him: at the prayer behind the things we do, and at why we do them. And I believe that choosing to be humble, and to listen and learn, even when it hurts, even when it’s hard, is a precious thing to Him.
A friend encouraged me recently to give myself grace. I’ve come so far, and setbacks are part of the process.
I can back up and slow down a little, working hard at where I’m at instead of pushing too fast. I can give myself grace. I can realise that it’s ok to do what I can handle, and not force myself too fast when I am tired. I can celebrate how far I’ve come. And I can realise that giving up is a big part of succeeding in the end.
If you are facing setbacks in something you are doing for the Lord, I hope you can be encouraged. It helps me to remember that setbacks are normal, even to be expected, and they don’t have to throw me. I don’t need to let setbacks cripple me. I can back up and slow down a little if I need to. But I don’t need to give up. And I’m learning that setbacks are just a part of the process of breakthrough.
I hope that encourages you today! 🙂
(If you’re wondering about why I write about the Lord and how you can know Him too, you can check my message here).
Caroline Abblitt 