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/ Avoid Divorce

Got a Set Back?

Ever give all you have (and then some) to something and have it not work out?

Ever be 100% sure that you followed what God asked you to do, did it to the absolute best of your ability, certain you were right in the middle of God’s will, but then not have it end the way you thought it would?

I’m there right now.

After spending nearly 24 hours in tears over it, I’ve decided to give myself the rest of today to mourn the loss of things going the way I thought they would, and then seek what He wants me to do next.

In the early hours of this, I spent a majority of time doubting that I had done the right thing.

I spent even more time wondering how I had misunderstood what I was supposed to do.

And I ate probably too much chocolate.

And I felt like I had failed and let a whole bunch of people down.

And then He reminded me of something.

He reminded me of the many things He had confirmed along the way.

And how I often tell people, “Just because it doesn’t go well doesn’t mean that isn’t the way it was supposed to go… there’s learning in there somewhere…” and I remembered that was true.

And while I still don’t know what the next thing is that I’m supposed to do…

I’m okay with that.

His peace is filling me.

And His Word rings True, because…

Proverbs 19:2 It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way... (there must be something I just don’t know right now and won’t know for a little while…)

Proverbs 19:16 He who obeys instructions guards his life, but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die... (so rather than be angry and contemptuous over how things have gone, I need to remember that I followed instructions, and there are more to come).

Proverbs 19:20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise… (so I have asked some very wise friends of mine for prayer and input, and am listening and waiting).

ImageAnd finally, Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails... (so even though I might think I know what to do and plan out how it will go, I’m under God’s authority, and He will either use me to accomplish His purpose the way He wants it accomplished, in the timing He wants it done in, or He will find someone else to do what He wants the way He wants).

And so in the end, it’s all good.

Set backs are frustrating.  But He uses ALL things for good, and just because I can’t SEE at the moment, doesn’t mean He’s not working.

Dare you today to trust His timing, refusing to be afraid, refusing to dwell on the wrong things, refusing to find fault, refusing to doubt.

Glad you are on the journey with me…

Love to you,

~Nina

21 Commments

  1. I spent a couple of days with chocolate last week. But I also spent a couple of evenings in real conversation with my husband. I’m thinking this is what God had in mind for me.

  2. Read this just now and thought of you sweet friend: “The whole point of a trial is to give you something, not to take anything away from you. It is to advance you; it is to add something to you. That is why you should be joyful. Because God allows in His wisdom what He could easily prevent by His power.” quote from Graham Cooke “The Art of Thinking Brilliantly”

    1. I’m feeling the love!!! He is sweet to love me thru you all…

      🙂

      Nina

  3. Pingback: Got a Set Back? | Our Joyful Journey Home

  4. Nina,
    Thank you for sharing your struggles! Thank you for modeling a healthy way to handle them even in your weakness. Thank you for
    Pointing the way to Christ!

    I love how God can give peace in the midst of a storm of uncertainty. I have learned to experience that, it took a LOT of tests and practice! And I am sure more are on the way!
    I pray God will accomplish His good purposes in this situation and your life and that He will open just the right doors at the right time for His glory.
    I am praying for your marriage and your ministry!
    Thank you SO much for being willing to shine for Jesus and be a godly example to wives!

  5. As always Nina, you get right to the heart of the matter. It reminded me of the time you told me that not getting the result I wanted didn’t necessarily mean that my situation wasn’t working out exactly the way HE intended it. (or something to that effect.)
    Love you, grateful to be on this journey with you. And I too, needed that reminder today.
    Blessings,
    Rosalyn

    1. ROSALYN. 🙂
      Doesn’t our flesh sometimes just hate it though? 🙂
      Love you, baby!
      ~Nina

  7. Nina,
    I am keeping you in my prayers.

    Your post reminds me of a bible study I did a few months ago and I had a light bulb moment during the study. The title of the quarterly study was called “The Refiners Fire” and the title of the study for that day was titled “Abraham in the Crucible” from Genesis 22. It explains this: “God’s request and its timing were not random….This was just a test—God never intended for Abraham to kill his son. This highlights something very important about the way God sometimes works. God may ask us to do something that He never intends for us to complete. He may ask us to go somewhere He never intends for us to arrive at. What is important to God is not necessarily the end, but what we learn as we are reshaped by the process.” http://ssnet.org/qrtrly/eng/07d/less05.html

    1 Peter 4:19 “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

    Nine, because you are a loyal and faithful servant to God, He is able to reach and encourage many through you and your testimonies. I praise God for your passion in encouraging and facilitating wives in learning how to respect their husbands. May God Bless you for your devotion and obedience to His word. Hugs to you, my sister.

    -Hope44

    1. You, Hope44, are (in the words of my 16 year old…) a BOSS. 🙂

      Thank you for the encouragement today. 🙂

      Love to you, gorgeous!

      ~Nina

      1. Katys9blessings – I certainly don’t mind (: I’m blessed that you took the time to read my post and I pray it blesses you (:

  8. This sounds like it was a hard disappointment to accept. ;-( I ‘m sorry. Whenever I experience setbacks or delays or something appears to amount to “no fruit” from the all the labor, I reflect back on Genesis 26. I think of Isaac and his wells. He had to re-dig and dig, and dig, then dig again the wells in famine conditions, chased off by the king and the mean shepherds and with God’s instructions don’t go to Egypt. I recommend exploring a variety of studies in this chapter. You can glean the value of meekness, perseverance, learning to dig another well, dealing with enemies (setbacks)walking by principle or providence, all of it amounts to growth of faith in God. In any case Genesis 26 gives us perspective on setbacks. “There are no shortcuts in the sanctification process.” Here’s one to start on: http://bible.org/seriespage/isaac-walks-his-father%E2%80%99s-steps-genesis-261-35

    1. Thanks so much! 🙂 I want a shortcut and some chocolate. Oh, well, I can probably at least count on the chocolate! LOL 🙂
      Love to you, baby!
      ~Nina

  10. Nina, are you sure we aren’t the same person? You don’t know how much I needed to read this today!

  12. Do I get this! Been there and probaly spent much longer than you will getting over it. Still actually not sure about what to do with the rest of my life, in the context of my limitations, so thanks for this. Love and prayers to someone I have come to respect and appreciate through her posts, teaching etc. Thankful for the role you play in the Body. May the Lord guide your future steps, and bless your endeavours. Much love in Him!
    (Psalm 90)

    1. Much love backatcha… and your words spur me on today. 🙂 Thankful for the journey, glad you are on it with me. 🙂
      Love to you,
      ~Nina

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