Every Setback is a Setup for a Comeback

I suspect that all of us can come up with projects and plans and even places we were traveling to over the last several months – but it fell through because of the pandemic. We were disappointed about lost time with family for special occasions, a job promotion we might have missed, and no need any longer for that project we put our heart and soul into. Dreams and desires surely fell through the cracks during this inconceivable season. The word “setback” comes to mind. But, never fear — God is still here doing what He does best. He surely has something up His sovereign sleeves and His power and strength is available to help us all turn what seems to have been a dead-end — an impossibility — into a victory.

I’m reminded of Pastor Bryant Wright, and his book “Right From the Heart Daily Devotional” where he tells this story: “Years ago, when my wife and I lived in Houston, Baylor University had a great football team. They absolutely stormed through the Southwest Conference that year. But late in the season, the Baylor players were discouraged by a shocking loss to an unranked team. Their hopes for a great season were further threatened because they were scheduled to play perennial powerhouse, Arkansas, the following week.

But Baylor’s head coach pulled out a secret weapon. He invited a former team member who had been paralyzed in a football accident earlier in the season, to speak to the discouraged players. He sat in a wheelchair before them as they gathered in the locker room before the game. First, he thanked his teammates for their prayers and support as he faced this ordeal. Then, referring to their loss the week before, he declared, “Guys, you’ve got to turn a setback into a comeback.” With that bold declaration, he slowly rose from the wheelchair and took a step forward, to the shock and amazement of his teammates. They began to cheer and then they cried, and then they ran out on the field and whipped the tar out of Arkansas. Those Razorbacks didn’t know what hit them! They didn’t know that they were the victims of Baylor’s secret weapon – turning what seemed impossible into victory.”

I read that story and realized we have had plenty of setbacks and heartbreaks and disappointments during these months of the pandemic. And so much of the disappointments have to do with the vitriol that surrounds us with so much nasty and negative rhetoric in our Country. Maybe you and your family have undergone setbacks in your dreams, your hopes and even the lives of those you love. But, Children, hold on, for the comeback!

Like in that story told by Pastor Bryant, just maybe these setbacks are actually a set up by God for a comeback victory beyond what you could think possible. God’s power and strength is available to help us all turn an impossibility into a victory. God is a Master at comeback stories. After all, the “impossibility” of the cross was followed by the greatest comeback story and victory of all times. The resurrection of our Lord is a comeback story that assures us of our comeback, too! This is not the time for giving up! It’s the time for holding on. This is not the time for looking back – it’s time for being strong!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10