Set-Backs

Florida has the second longest coastline in the United States, longer even than California; and the vast majority of Floridians live along that extensive coastline. *  But another statistic that people may not know, is that Florida is also full of lakes.  According to a report by the Orlando Sentinel, Florida has 30,000 lakes, which cover a little over 3 million acres.  So, I think it’s safe to say that water plays a significant role in the lives of almost every Floridian.  (*Alaska has the longest coastline.)

Now, you might be saying, “Thanks for the geography lesson, but what does that have to do with set-backs?”  Allow me to explain…

I often think of life like being in a boat on the water.  Sometimes the waters are calm, sometimes they are turbulent.  Sometimes we struggle against strong currents, sometimes the currents take us where we don’t want to go.  Sometimes storms cause damage or may even capsize us.  No matter where our boat is taking us; one thing is certain, the waters are ever changing. 

Overall, life is mostly calm waters.  We float through our daily routines on the gentle sway of the water’s path.  One day is like another and we have no complaints.  We are comfortable and content.  But sometimes the path leads to turbulent waters that require much attention and effort to navigate.  Our lives become difficult.  These times are set-backs.  We may wonder what we did wrong to be surrounded by these choppy waters.  We may feel seasick.  But when we remember that it is simply the nature of the waters to be either calm or turbulent, we are able to put things in proper perspective and deal with the situation.  We remind ourselves, “this too shall pass” and that God is able to guide us back to the calm waters.

Perhaps after enjoying the calm waters for a season, we wake up one day to find ourselves completely off course – carried away by a current we didn’t even notice.  We’re not sure how we ended up where we did, but there we are!  This is also a set-back.  We then become tasked with diligently rowing against the current to get back to the calm waters where we want to be.  We learn that we must not ignore the currents and that God can help us identify them.  It is quicker to get back to the calm waters from a few feet off course than from miles away. 

There are also times when storms arise, maybe without warning.  Storms bring the greatest turbulence and the strongest currents.  Storms can be devastating and destructive.  We may feel overwhelmed by the storm’s force.  We might find ourselves in distress or upheaval.  These are the set-backs in which we must rely on God more than ever.  We must be confident that He is able to quiet the storm, repair the damage, and restore us to the calm waters.

Life is full of set-backs.  Some set us back a few steps, others knock us down.  But no matter what the results of our set-backs are, God is able to handle them.  Think about it – if God is omnipotent (which He is); do you think that He judges situations by their level of difficulty?  Of course not.  He is all powerful.  There is nothing too hard for Him.  It is only we humans with our limited abilities who assign levels of difficulty to situations.

Jeremiah 32:27

Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

No matter where you are in life, this verse is applicable.  No matter what your circumstance is, no matter condition you’re in, God is able to supply, and He shall take care of us.

Set-backs can take the wind out of our sails.  But we must always batten down the hatches and persevere.  Just as ships were made to sail, we are made to succeed.  And the only way we can really do that is by utilizing God’s resources and support.  It is the power of God that brings about our true success.  It is God’s love that guarantees our victory. 

Psalm 37:5

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Looking to God in every situation, (including every set-back) is the best way to assure our smooth sailing.  Set-backs may slow us down, but they need never stop us!  Always remember – without a challenge, we would never taste success. 

Note to my readers:  Full sail ahead!  Thanks for reading!