How God Turns Setbacks Into ComebacksSample

Let God Turn Your Work Setbacks into Comebacks

If you’ve ever felt discouraged with your work, you’re in good company. Maybe you’re worn out from overwork. Maybe you’ve put your heart and soul into a project, and it simply failed.

We’ve all faced setbacks at work. But it’s what happens next that’s truly important.

Just ask Simon Peter and Andrew.

In Luke 5, we learn that these two brothers had been out all night fishing. As professional fishermen, they didn’t make money if they didn’t catch fish. And they hadn’t caught anything. It was as if the lake had gone into a recession. The brothers were discouraged and tired.

 But then Jesus comes along and does the impossible.

 After borrowing their boat to teach from, Jesus tells Simon Peter: “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4 NIV).

Simon Peter’s response is typical of those times when frustration has set in: “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything” (Luke 5:5 NIV).

We’ve all hit this stage. We’ve given our work our best shot and come up empty. We’ve done everything right and may even believe God led us to do what we’re doing, but we have nothing to show for it.

Then Jesus does a miracle. Jesus doesn’t just meet their need. He totally blows them away in the process. The Bible says, “When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break” (Luke 5:6 NIV).

Not only do they catch enough fish for themselves, but God also gives them enough to share.

After Simon Peter and Andrew do what Jesus tells them to do, they catch more fish in 10 minutes than they had in the previous 10 hours. God turns a setback into a comeback.

Your comeback may be just around the corner, too.

Maybe you’ve been without work for months or years, or maybe you’ve failed badly five times in a row—none of that matters. God can turn a setback into a comeback faster than you can even imagine.

And then you might find you need a bigger boat.

Talk It Over

How have you seen God perform a miracle in your work life? What does that say about what he can do in the future?

What scares you the most about trusting God for a miracle in your work life?

Who is experiencing a setback at work and needs to read today’s devotional? Make a commitment to share this with them.

This devotional © 2019 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.