The Shift That Changes EverythingSample

DAY 5: Turning Setbacks into Comebacks

If there’s anything my life has taught me, it’s this: setbacks are not the end of your story. They often feel final, painful, or discouraging, but God has a way of turning what looks like defeat into the very soil where new beginnings grow. Some of the greatest breakthroughs in my life came right after seasons I thought would break me.

I’ve faced times when dreams died, relationships fractured, or opportunities slipped through my fingers. In those moments, I wondered if God had forgotten me. But as I look back, I can see how every setback became a setup for something better—not because the pain vanished instantly, but because God was quietly shaping me in the middle of it.

The apostle Paul understood this better than anyone. He faced beatings, imprisonment, persecution, betrayal, and constant danger, yet he wrote, “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed…struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9). His confidence didn’t come from his circumstances; it came from knowing God was working through them. He believed his struggles were producing a glory that far outweighed the pain.

I’ve found that to be true. When I’ve walked through adversity, God has used those seasons to refine me, redirect me, and rebuild parts of my life that had been neglected. Sometimes He closed doors I was never meant to walk through. Sometimes He strengthened my character in ways success never could. Sometimes He positioned me for assignments I would not have accepted without the struggle.

The world sees setbacks as evidence that you’ve failed. God sees them as opportunities to deepen your faith, strengthen your resilience, and prepare you for the next chapter. He’s not finished writing your story, and He hasn’t wasted anything you’ve walked through—not one tear, one disappointment, or one delay.

If you’re in a setback season right now, take heart: God specializes in comebacks. Even when you can’t see the path forward, He is working behind the scenes. You might feel struck down, but you are not destroyed. You are being shaped for something greater than you can imagine.

Hold on. Keep trusting. Your comeback is already in motion.

Ready to take the next step?
In The Shift That Changes Everything, I share the full journey, including deeper teaching, more personal stories, and practical tools to help you walk with resilience in every season. Get the book and additional resources at TedPagelMinistries.org.