Setbacks and Roadblocks
Have any of you ever experienced a setback or roadblock in life? (If you answer no, please let me know your secret). Setbacks and roadblocks can really mess with your heart and your mind. They too easily can consume our mental and emotional faculties for days. They leave us questioning where is God… especially if you thought you and God were going down the same road. Then BLAM!
I know people will say all setbacks and roadblocks are a part of God’s overarching plan – and I agree. Scriptures tell us, “The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.” (Proverbs 16:9) That doesn’t make it easier, though, does it?
I know we’re called to trust in God’s plan and that he has plans to prosper and not to harm (Jeremiah 29:11). All of this is true. Still – in the moment, how quickly the Devil pounces on you to give you the slightest of doubts that God is really for you. The Devil is cunning and will take any opportunity given to drive a wedge between us and God. So how do you fight against the Devil when he assails you? Where do you turn when you’ve hit a roadblock?
Acts 16:6-10 is a comforting passage for me when I experience setbacks and roadblocks. It’s not your traditional “encouraging” Scripture (like the one’s I listed above). But it’s a real passage. By that I mean, even the great Apostle Paul and his companions experienced setbacks on their journey to proclaim the gospel. TWICE the Spirit would not allow them to go to a town to preach the good news.
That would be devastating to me. To feel called to share this message with people and to be prevented is challenging. It’s not like transportation is an easy thing to arrange back then. There is no Uber. You walked. For miles. Still, Paul and his companions persisted. Onto the next city. Same answer – nope, not here.
Then Paul was given a vision of a man from Macedonia – and they immediately knew where to go. We don’t all get visions that clearly direct us, but I do believe that the Spirit is directing us. It’s just a matter of hearing his voice and getting on the same frequency.
Setbacks and roadblocks may not lead you where you want to go or where you thought you were going, but they shape you and help you depend solely upon God. May you seek the Lord’s voice and may you hear him so that when you experience a setback, you rely on the Lord.