Walt Disney, founder of the Disney Corporation, is one of the most well-known names in the world. Yet it’s possible we wouldn’t know this name had it not been for a painful rejection. In 1919, while working as an editor, Disney was fired because, according to his boss, he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” Only a few years later, Disney founded his company, which would go on to become one of the largest and most renowned businesses in the world. What seemed like a setback actually paved the way for Disney’s success.
In many ways, the ascension of Jesus could be seen as a setback. It was a disappointment to the disciples who expected Jesus’ kingdom to come in fullness immediately (Acts 1:6). It also must have saddened them to see their rabbi and their friend leave them physically. One can only imagine the mixed emotions the disciples were experiencing as they saw Jesus rise into the clouds!
But Jesus’ view of the ascension was in stark contrast to the disciples’—He saw it as an entirely good thing because it made room for the ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7). They would no longer see Him, but His presence and power would fill them through the Spirit. This must have been difficult for the disciples to believe, but Jesus’ view was proven right—within the first days of the outpouring of the Spirit, the disciples were radically transformed and the early church grew explosively throughout the region (Acts 2:1-21, 41-47).
Low points and disappointments are inevitable in life. But we should remind ourselves that we follow a God who works in and through us—even during our darkest days. Let’s not be quick to call something a disappointment or a loss, for it just might be God’s way of doing something new and even better!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Joshua 7:1-26
More:
Read Genesis 50:19-21 for the perfect example of God using a season of challenge to do something good.
Next:
When have you seen God use a difficult season or circumstance to accomplish something good? How might He be using a trial to bring about His good purposes in your life today?
Gary Shultz on March 3, 2017 at 5:22 am
Hi Peter: As you well know the tempering of the steel is hard and pounding work. As you know also, trials will be part of life, and life will be part of our destiny. I have appreciated times of joy and rejoicing, but no joy compares to what is forged in difficult times. Life presents many flavors – health issues, a broken leg, an unexpected bill, family problems, an accident. the list is long and so is our God. So must our desire to trust in a faithful God. With experiencing God’s faithfulness brings the expectation of resolve in trails and set backs. You can almost look through them looking for what God has in store, just as in the scripture reference of birth. It is by all means a point of faith, working hope, looking toward “Something Better”. For those of faith, all things will work together for good. Christ Himself, the greatest picture of what looked like failure, but none has ever come close to His success. Thanks Peter.
gagirllive on March 3, 2017 at 8:38 am
Hi, Peter. Praise God that we have the everlasting Christ with us because of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit! Jesus can do more for us through the Holy Spirit than He could have done while bodily on earth. He is omnipresent now. Since Pentecost, all who believe have “something better”. But I also like the thought you’ve expressed here about looking for redemption in our set backs and disappointments. Because He is a redeeming God, I’ve learned to expect and anticipate the good that He will bring from every negative situation. In my experience, it’s not always the obvious turnarounds in my circumstances but a quiet working within me…shaving and chiseling more things off me that don’t look like Jesus. Our set backs are often set ups for God to do something good in us (making us more Christ-like) and through us (preparing us for greater service) that will bring glory to Himself. And that’s more than “something better”. That’s the BEST! 🙂 Thanks for this encouragement today, Peter. Grace and peace, sojourners.
Tom Felten on March 3, 2017 at 9:23 am
Peter, as I was told long, mountaintops can often prove to be hard and cold, while valleys make for fertile soil—warm and ready for growth. This has been proven over and over in my life. I’m so grateful that when we walk (and grow) through the valleys, that our God is with us! (Psalm 23:1-6).
sandy229 on March 3, 2017 at 1:52 pm
Amen Tom!!
sandy229 on March 3, 2017 at 1:52 pm
Something beautiful
Something good
All my confusion, He understood
All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife
But He made something beautiful of my life
(Bill Gaither)
This song has been going through my mind all morning!
When God allowed me to fall and break my hip, something beautiful came out of it. Now I spend more time reading His word and talking to Him. I keep thinking of all I have missed by not obeying Him like I should have. I have been reading Our Daily Bread, and writing whatever the Lord leads me to say. Sometimes people
write to me and tell me it’s just what they needed to hear, and how glad they are that I am there. I know a lot of people are hurting and need the fellowship and encouragement they are seeking from God. It’s good to be able to be used by God to bless and inspire others. It makes it all worth it that I can make a difference
in someone’s life. So this trial I am going through is making a difference not only in my life, but in the lives of other’s as well. Thank you Lord for using me in this way, thank you for teaching me your ways.In Jesus name, Amen
angvan on March 3, 2017 at 3:53 pm
God gets some of his greatest victories out of seeming defeats.