"Every time something thwarts your plans or desires, use that as a reminder to communicate with Me. This practice has several benefits...
(1) Talking with Me blesses you and strengthens our relationship...
(2) Disappointments...are transformed into opportunities for good... (removing) the sting from difficult circumstances...
When you reframe setbacks as opportunities, you find that you gain much more than you have lost." (322)
Learning to deal constructively with various setbacks or disappointments, on a regular or daily basis, revamps and strengthens the neuro landscape of our brains. I've learned that every time I "reframe setbacks as opportunities" I win huge victories over my natural, human responses which tend to set me up to be hurt or offended. Instead of becoming down and out, I can move up and forward!
This has been a HUGE helpful insight in ministry life. So many expectations, so many disappointments, so many inconsistencies and inadequacies on so many levels from so many viewpoints... it's truly a HUGE benefit to just keep talking to Jesus about it, continually unloading my heart and renewing my mind.
Romans 8:37-38 says it so well. "No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!"
My options are:
Will I allow this to separate me FROM God's love? Or to strengthen me IN God's love?
Choosing the Opportunity Option to be IN God's Love...dmc
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Thank you! Many challenges I've faced and faced wrongly ... Thanks for reminding me "up and forward" with the Lord's help as I look at the daily challenges and setbacks as an opportunity!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Many challenges I've faced and faced wrongly ... Thanks for reminding me "up and forward" with the Lord's help as I look at the daily challenges and setbacks as an opportunity!
ReplyDeleteWhere would I be ,save the love of God? Physical setbacks that try to rob me of my peace are only opportunities that draw me closer to Him. Thank you for your post.
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