With Every Setback There's A Chance To Come Back

The Lord works in wonderful ways. I can't express the gratitude I have for Him and for all the blessings he has sent my way. For all the times that I felt so alone and He was there to comfort me. He knows me, and because He knows I am observant and well aware of the protection He provides me He likes to comfort me with small things, little details that he knows I will catch. I have been struggling with a certain trial for some time now, one that I keep trying to avoid and forget but just can't seem to shake off. Sometimes I feel like I've failed my Heavenly Father, that because I have been disobedient and have done what I know I shouldn't, he is disappointed in me and doesn't want anything to do with me. I feel like a lost cause. But tonight I turned my computer on to check my email, just like I do every night before bed. I opened up YouTube to look for a song to play while I worked, and as I clicked on the video I wanted one of those annoying advertisements popped up. But instead of pressing the "skip" button after the countdown on the ad had ended, I felt impressed to keep watching. The advertisement was for the insurance company Liberty Mutual and featured a war-wounded veteran turned Paralympic Sled Hockey Team member. The traumatic story he shared was very moving, but the story of his recovery and how he was able to push on and overcome the anguish he was experiencing was incredibly inspiring. In the last few seconds of the video, the phrase "With every setback there's a chance to come back" appeared on the screen. Those words truly hit me hard. It may seem a stretch for some, but I recognized that God was communicating with me through this small video. My Heavenly Father wants me to see that I have a choice. I can either let what is troubling me drag me down, or I can use this opportunity to open other doors. Just because tragedy seems impossible doesn't mean I can let it to denote who I become. I have to remember that repentance is not designed for us to experience pain but is there for us to be forgiven. The sooner I repent, the sooner I can begin to make my way back and find the peace and joy that come with forgiveness. If I delay repentance then I can lose blessings, opportunities, and spiritual guidance that I may otherwise have received. I just need to have the faith to turn away from my sin and step forward. I share this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.