Sabbath: Setbacks
Daily Lesson for Sabbath 6th of June 2026
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study
Mark 4:35-41; Mark 5:21-34; Romans 5:3-5; Job 19:23-27; Job 23:8-12; Luke 24:13-27; Romans 8:18,28.
Memory Text:
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:3-5, NKJV).
One evening, as the sun dipped over the horizon, a girl was walking home when a dark storm blew in. She quickened her pace, knowing there was still a way to go. A lone raindrop fell on her cheek, then another, and, before she knew it, she was drenched. She started to run toward the front door of her home, where her father rushed to meet her. He had been watching her from the front window. As he wrapped a blanket around her shoulders, he asked her, “I saw you just now, in the rain. Why, with every bolt of lightning, did you stop running to look up and smile?”
“Oh, I stopped to look up,” she said, “because God was taking my picture!”
What is our response when the storms of life come or when we have certain setbacks in our relationship with God? Do we put our head down as the rain pelts upon our backs or do we look up, knowing and trusting that God is there as we turn our face toward Him?
This week, we’ll explore some responses we often have when life is challenging. We’ll consider how we might use life’s setbacks to strengthen, not weaken, our most important relationship.
As a scientist I like to analyse data to find relationships and trends. We use regression analysis to take rather scattered-looking data and with a bit of mathematical magic (careful mathematical analysis), find a nice progression line through the data. We are accutely aware that the trend line sometimes hides the scatteredness of the data from the unwary and forget too that is part of the picture.
We sometimes misrepresent Christian progress with trendlines. I have seen trendlines describing sanctification, showing progress towards a goal of perfection that sounded good early in my life, but now, at my age, I look back and see a wide scattering of events that look more like a landscape of hills and valleys.
A few years ago we went hiking in the Warrumbungles. It is an old volcanic crater with many rocky plugs, deep forested valleys, huge scree slopes, and a massive dyke appropriately named “The Breadknife”. The track was about 20km long and was essentially a huge loop but because of the topology you could only ever see parts of it at a time. You would think that you were coming to a peak only to discover that the peak had been hidden by a ridge, and you really had a lot further to climb. It was a long hike and the mixture of peaks, ridges, and valleys made it difficult to get an overall perspective.
Life is a bit like that Warrumbungle track. Peaks, valleys, and slippery scree slopes. I hope we can find the big picture in this week’s study.
A basic truth of life is that it is filled with setbacks and storms. Life can be hard, and at times we experience pain, loss, and suffering. While it is not pleasant to go through difficult seasons, it is important to focus on the things that bring joy and to continue pursuing them. Some people become consumed by the storm and the circumstances surrounding them, while others refuse to be victims of their situation and choose to keep doing the things that bring meaning and joy even in the midst of hardship. It is important to acknowledge the difficult realities of life, but it is equally important to choose to keep living.
For example when grieving, we should remember the good things about the person we have lost and be thankful for the blessing they were in our lives. Maturity calls us to cultivate gratitude in every season. Research has shown that people who write down three things they are grateful for each day experience significant improvements in their mental health and happiness over time. The apostle Paul encourages believers to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). If we focus only on the storms of life, they can overwhelm us, but when we choose to focus on God’s blessings, we can find joy, strength, and hope even in difficult circumstances.
The Bible does not reflect the spiritual life of a believer as free from challenges, frustrations, and disappointments. However, believers are given firm assurance, hope and strength in God. Jesus Himself acknowledges the life of a believer, “In the world ye shall have tribulation.” (John 16:33). Faith does not exempt believers from spiritual struggles; in any case, they are placed in the forefront of setbacks and backslides. Amidst all these trials, all those who completely trust in God come out victorious. The Bible is rich in examples of God’s servants who went through intense spiritual crucibles but, by the grace of God, came out more refined. For instance, Job, Paul, Daniel, Peter, and many more.
God’s presence and faithfulness are our pillar of strength and hope. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, NLT). We are strongly encouraged to be of good cheer because He who promises is faithful and merciful.
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39, NLT).
In John 16:33 Jesus stated the obvious that in this world we would have trouble. We don’t have to go looking for trouble, it seems to come looking for us. Fortunately, Jesus didn’t stop at the promise of trouble. He also encouraged us to take heart, (some versions read, be of good cheer), why? Because he has overcome this world. He is ready, willing, and able to give us the victory that he obtained. While our life may at times seem like a roller-coaster ride, with steep climbs, and harrowing drops, twists, and turns, even corkscrew turns, we can be comforted, yes, even encouraged to know that he rides that roller-coaster right beside us.
I’m looking forward to learning more about handling the bumpy, twisty, turny, spots of life with the least amount of grumbling as possible. I have a feeling that a key aspect will be keeping my eyes on Jesus.
Love your thoughts brother.
Thank you
I can see only one overarching constant in this world:
God’s everlasting ‘Word of Truth’ and His loving provenance assuring inner peace during times of trouble – John 14:27.
Even more astonishing is the extend of this inner peace:
His ‘Word of Truth’ conquered the fear of death and dying. Heb.2:14-15.
And if this is not enough to help us deal with ‘setbacks’:
His ‘Word of Truth’ gives us the proper perspective by revealing the ‘bigger picture of the life’ and His Promise to stay with us until the end of the age – Matt.28:20.
Jesus Christ’s eternal Words of Truth comfort and reassure us that: ”Heaven and earth will pass away, but my Words will never pass away.” Faith and Trust in His Word is the only reliable response to life’s ups and downs; it will keep us from drowning in the waters of despair – Matt.24:35.
Reminder of that when we sinned it was said by our creator with sweat that’s when you eat so the let’s try to embrace the set backs for the bigger opportunity to come
God is always the same, whether in the storm or in peacetime. The best way to get through life’s turbulence is to cling to God’s relationship. When there is peace, worshiping Him with happy songs can be a smart choice.
I am very happy for all comments, this really increases my knowledge with my heavenly father
Every setback is a setup for a step up.