When Your Setback Seems Irreversible

SETBACK: A loss of progress, a defeat of a plan, or a reversal of good fortune

When I waited for good, evil came. When I looked for light, darkness came. 27 My insides are churning and won’t calm down. Days of misery are ahead of me. Job 30:26-27 (GW)

HOW DO I COMEBACK WHEN MY SETBACK SEEMS IRREVERSABLE?

 I choose to T.R.U.S.T. God like Job did.  I will…

T _________________________________________________________

Job stood up, tore his robe in grief, and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped.  Job 1:20 (GW)

And so I’m not keeping one bit of this quiet, I’m laying it all out on the table; my complaining to high heaven is bitter, but honest.  Job 7:11 (MSG)

Get up, cry out in the night…Pour out your heart like water in prayer to the Lord… 

Lamentations 2:19a (NCV)

For as long as I remember I’ve been hurting; I’ve taken the worst you can hand out, and I’ve had it. Your wildfire anger has blazed through my life; I’m bleeding, black-and-blue. You’ve attacked me fiercely from every side, raining down blows till I’m nearly dead. You made lover and neighbor alike dump me; the only friend I have left is Darkness. Psalm 88:15-18 (MSG)

At times I wish I had a wilderness hut…Where I could get away from my people and never see them again.  Jeremiah 9:2a (MSG)

I believed, so I said, “I am completely ruined. Psalm 116:10 (NCV)

R _________________________________________________________

“I came naked from my mother’s womb,” he said, “and I shall have nothing when I die. The Lord gave me everything I had, and they were his to take away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” 22 In all of this Job did not sin or revile God. Job 1:21-22 (TLB)

• _____________ precedes ___________ & thanks is the cure for bitterness.

• God will never stop loving me.   Job 10:12

• God has a plan for my life.    Job 23:14

• God cares about every detail of my life. Job 23:10, 31:4

• God is in control of things I don’t understand. Job 42:3

• God will ultimately protect me.       Job 5:11

Even though the fig trees have no fruit and no grapes grow on the vines, even though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no grain, even though the sheep all die and the cattle stalls are empty, I will still be joyful and glad, because the Lord God is my Savior.  Habakkuk 3:17-18 (GNT)

U________________________________________________________

Elihu: “Don’t let your anger and the pain you endured make you sneer at You’re your reputation and riches cannot protect you from distress, nor can you find safety in the dark world below. Be on Guard. Don’t turn to evil as a way of escape. God’s power is unlimited… Others have praised God for what he has done, so join with them.” Job 36:18-22a, 24 (CEV)

True wisdom and real power belong to God. From Him we learn how to live and also what to live for.  Job 12:13 (MSG)

Go to the Lord for help, and worship him continually. 1 Chronicles 16:11 (GNT)

…those who worship God will be encouraged.  Psalm 69:32b (GNT)   

“Here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in Your strength and glory.”  Psalm 63:2 (MSG)

…for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.  Philippians 1:19 (NCV)

S _________________________________________________________

His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.” 10 But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.  Job 2:9-10 (NLT)

Look, He may well kill me, but I will hope in Him. Still I will be ready to argue my case before His very face. Job 13:15 (ERV)

Only people who don’t know God are always worrying…  Matthew 6:32a (CEV)

T _________________________________________________________

…trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” John 16:33 (MSG)

JOB’S COMEBACK

After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord gave him success again. The Lord gave Job twice as much as he had owned before. Job 42:10 (NCV)