JUST A SETBACK --by Kreed

The Encarta dictionary defines a setback as, “Something that delays progress,” but once you let go and choose to give up, then you fall short of what is required, which is failure…. “Something less than that required,” according to Encarta.

It was sometime in July, the earth’s surface was battered by the tears from heaven—the rain, one of nature’s greatest gift to man. However, something was different about that day. No, it wasn’t the first time it had rained and neither was it the heaviest it had poured in the month but there was something different about that particular day. Under a certain palm tree, there sat a man, soaked both by his tears and Nature’s. He had lost again, it was the fifth tender submitted that month and it was the fifth tender rejected that month. He had gone close, he did everything right but he still lost it.

As much as we may wish against it, setback is just one of the constant things in life. Sometimes, the things we wish for in life, doesn’t manifests as we had hoped. Sometimes, we get results that are not a reflection of the efforts we’ve made. Sometimes, we get close to achieving our goals, only to miss out completely. Life has a way of throwing unwanted results to our path. Sometimes, a setback is what one needs, to get to the next level in life.

Serving GOD does not exempt you from facing trials, as tough times brew tough minds. A setback could be God’s way of preparing you for something greater. No matter how gloomy things may seem at the moment, always remember that at the end of every tunnel, there is always light. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl. By all means necessary, keep moving.” Don’t sit back at that dark tunnel; keep moving till you see your light. Keep trying again and again and again and again, till you achieve your goals.

It is never too late, once you have decided to try again, once you have decided to get back up, once you keep your focus on the goal, regardless of the frustrations you had faced or probably will face again, nothing can stop you. Achieving your goals can only be impossible, if you believe it is. What people say or think is not half as important as what you say or think. Your mind is your greatest asset; don’t lose it to fear, negativity or comments from individuals with parochial mind-sets.

Maybe you’re reading this and you’re probably saying, “It’s easier said than done, you wouldn’t be writing this if you’re in the mess I am in now.” Yes, maybe I’ll never understand your frustrations or hurts. Maybe I’ll never know the battle you’re facing but there is someone who does know what you’re going through at the moment. In one of the portions of His book, it says “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to escape.” That’s where I find my own strength every time I come up short…1 Corinthians 10:13.

I know how it feels to fail; I know how it feels to expect so much, only to get nothing in the end. But everything that happens is for the good of man and to the glory of GOD. For every disappointed, there is always a blessing; for every mistake, there is always a lesson. Stop feeling disheartened and hopeless, life never gives us what we want; we only make the most of what we have.

Dwelling on your setbacks only breeds a bitter spirit, which eventually causes you to lose focus of what’s important. Never let past events get the most of you, they’re a lot of great men and women who suffered more but persisted in their quest for success and eventually prevailed. They include the likes of Joseph, Muhammadu Buhari, Colonel Sanders, Thomas Edison, etc. Use that setback to motivate yourself. A friend once told me, “For every setback, there must be a comeback.” Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through CHRIST which strengthened me”. Believe in GOD at all times, for HE is more than capable of turning things around. Let go of that past setback, rather, believe in GOD and give it another shot. I know HE’s right in front you with an outstretched arm, telling you to get up, believe and try again.