Awesome Article by Guest Author: Lisa Nicole Bell of http://www.lisanicolebell.com/
“A setback is a setup for a comeback!” -Willie Jolley
This week I want to share some notes with you about setbacks. We often think of setbacks as being obstacles on our paths to success, but I submit that setbacks are blessings & opportunities in disguise. When people tell me of hardships they’re facing or problems they’re having, I’m always excited for them. I say “Congratulations” and they look at me like I’m off my rocker. But here’s the secret: a setback is always a setup for a comeback for a child of God.
God is in the business of prospering His children. We see countless promises in the Bible – a comforting word that God will provide, a thought about the pointless nature of worrying, the tenet that everything works to the good of those who love God. There should be no doubt in our minds that God is always prospering us…so why do we allow fear, anxiety, and depression to steal our joy?
Part of the problem is that we don’t truly understand the blessing in the storm. Take a moment to think back on the darkest nights and most difficult seasons in your life. As we go through a storm, we sometimes struggle to find meaning in the hardship. However, the purpose and value of the struggle is usually revealed long after the difficult time has passed. Over time, God’s unfailing love for us should build our faith muscle – it should be a reminder that His timing and His ways are perfect and that if we just keep going and trust Him, we’ll be blessed beyond our wildest dreams.
Jimmy Dean says, “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” The other part of the problem is that we insist on having control. We want to give God part of the problem and keep the rest to ourselves to worry and brood over. But God is infinite! How silly of us to continually weigh our minds down with the cares of the world when God has promised us that He would never leave or forsake us. When we find ourselves drifting off course, we can “adjust our sails” so that we can reach our destinations. God gives wisdom generously to those who ask so in seeking Him and His will for our lives, we can use the bricks of hardship to build the foundation of our victory.
There’s silver lining to every cloud of doubt – it’s up to us to find it! If you’re facing tough times, fret not! In fact, celebrate and praise God because something amazing is on the way. Your breakthrough starts with you!
Inspired Journaling Prompt: Write about a difficult time from your past. Ponder how you felt as you went through the tough time and then write, in detail, how the situation worked out. Note any elements that revealed God’s hand at work in the situation. Now write about a tough situation you may be facing now. Then read
Matthew 6:25-33, Matthew 7:7-11, and Psalm 37:4-6. Write about what those verses mean to you and what God has promised you.
Inspired Action: Do something this week that you’ve never done before! Step out on complete faith that God has not left you and that He will provide all of your needs. Think thoughts of abundance! You are a child of God, and your cup should run over!
Inspiring. Fearless. Magnetic. Powerful. These are just a few of the words that are often used to describe Lisa Nicole Bell, a world renown lifestyle expert, media personality, entertainment professional, and multimedia creator. Using entertainment, publishing, multimedia, and personal development training, she achieves her simple mission – to inspire ordinary people to live extraordinary lives. As seen on ABC, CBS, Essence.com, Under 30 CEO and more, Lisa is the author of Divine Inspirations: Keys To Living A Divine Life in addition to being a dynamic speaker, award winning actress/filmmaker, and socially conscious entrepreneur with nearly a decade of business experience. Starting her first company at just 19 years old, Lisa went on to start multiple training and consulting companies. Today, Lisa is the CEO of Inspired Life Media Group where she and her team create lifestyle solutions and inspiring content using theatrical productions, printed and electronic publications, teleseminars, empowerment events and more. Lisa is the founder of the world’s first international lifestyle brand for teen girls blending new media, traditional media, and personal development. Fortune 500 companies, organizations, churches, colleges, and every day people turn to Lisa for her expertise as the nation’s leading expert on lifestyle design and social change.
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