The comeback is always greater than the setback
A quote we always see to motivate us that whatever has set us back or shook us up a bit, can't compare to what's about to come. Now, while I do agree that the comeback is always greater and the setback has more value than we think-I really didn't comprehend that until recently. Hear me out...I used to be the person who hated hearing the phrases, "you're going through this for a reason", "it'll all make sense", "you must need to learn something before you get what you're wanting". Honestly... "SHUT UP" is what I wanted to scream when people would say that. I think on so many seasons where I had to endure so much pain and all I would do is daydream and yearn of when I would get to the season of living in all my answered prayers. One of those seasons was long distance. Taylor and I have been long distance since 2016 and navigating that was one of my hardest seasons. Those years were filled with heartbreaking goodbyes, countless tears, many missed milestone events, and physical loneliness. All I could think about was when God would finally cross us over to a season where the teary eyed goodbyes for weeks or months turned into just a goodbye kiss in the morning followed up a few hours later with a "welcome home, how was work?" kiss.
Well, I am happy to say finally after all these years, we are at that point!! Praise God! But, this particular transfer from the "set up" season to the "living in it" season, is the one where God opened my eyes to what I have been missing in all of my set up seasons---that they are just that, set up seasons. Yeah, those years of long distance were long, grueling, and it seemed as though they would never end or get easier. But now? Now that T and I are in a new season of life and our relationship, I look back at that season and see how in the midst of a time that brought a lot of pain and tears, set Taylor and I up for success in so many ways. I could sit here and list how long distance grows a couple beautifully, and maybe one day I will, but that is not my point here. My point is that in every season, God has a strategy, you guys. A plan so precise that it will build us UP and propel us FORWARD. A set up. In the midst of those long distance years, I couldn't see past how I was feeling then. But, as I sit back and thank God for this new season, I see all along how God works even the trying seasons for good. I've been able to see this ring true for all the other set up seasons in my life. My perspective has completely changed and that's all because of God. It is my hope that you change your lens and see that whatever season you are in, God is never caught by surprise. He has that plan for you still set and a lesson in every season that will always be worth it. Sometimes, it takes the transition into that next season to realize the actual value of what you were sitting in, even if it held a lot of growing pains.
In every set up season, I believe you have to have a strategy and that is always God. A verse I cling to is Romans 12:12 which reads,
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
This verse reminds me first and foremost to be patient. Seasons aren't always full of constant wins and no sorrow. Seasons have trials and tribulation, but a season is a season. TEMPORARY. A new season will come so hold on and be constant in prayer. Keep your eyes and heart fixed on what God's word says. There is no comforter better than the Holy Spirit, clinging to prayer and talking to your Father, and rejoicing in hope and assurance that God did not and cannot forget you. My hope for you is that you see whatever situation or season you are in as a step to your progress. While some seasons are indeed more painful than others, God is not having you endure that season in vain.
For this month, I challenge you to think about the season or seasons leading up to your 'living in it' season. Think about how it prepared you and how God used what looked messy or difficult and turned it into your success and stepping stone to what you’re living in right now. God works it out. Always. Use that as a reminder for the next season you’re yearning to get out of and know that just because we don’t see how it could work, doesn’t mean that it won’t. Keep your eyes on Him, the One who make the impossible, possible, in just the blink of an eye.
It Will Be Well,
E
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