Setback, Not Defeat

How fast do you bounce back after a loss?

One of the great tragedies for modern-day Christians is that we are losing our ability to rebound, to find the grit and determination to come back from defeat. Yeah, we may suffer some setbacks, but we should never be defeated. If we lose faith in the fact that God's love is perfect and His wisdom is infallible, and neither can be improved upon, we will never be able to accept our losses. We will ultimately doubt that what is happening to us in this time of loss is somehow all part of God's bigger plan.

When our faith is low, a high level of fear fills the void. Next, shame makes its way into our thoughts and leaves in its wake confusion, humiliation, self-hatred, and self-loathing. Sadly, I know them all. Unending questions such as, "Why did I ever decide to do that?" invade our consciousness. We see ourselves as the proverbial idiot or donkey, and believe others view us as the same, or even worse.

When you initially suffer loss, a time of reflection is healthy. But endlessly second-guessing your past decisions will cloud your present decisiveness. If you see all of life's losses as negatives, if loss is unacceptable to you, you won't learn much from it.

Loss affects each and every one of us. The question is, can you bounce back from it?

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"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."

James 1:12

Be Nice. Grace Wins.

FMJ