Does it Define you or Refine you?

Setbacks are part of life. I've had my share...and guess what? I now come to expect them. Not that I'm ever thrilled (initially) that they are upon me, but I've learned that they can be good things. At a point in my life, I allowed them to define me - who I was, what I was worth, what other people thought of me. I assumed that professional setbacks were some kind of sign that I wasn't capable, or good enough at doing whatever it was I was doing. I assumed that personal setbacks were roadblocks put up to prevent me from realizing my dreams. In each and every case, both personally and professionally, the setbacks were temporary and they eventually led me to pursue paths which helped me realize dreams (personally) and pursue passions (professionally). So now when someone tells me that I'm not going to be getting that role that I thought I "deserved", I get over my disappointment pretty quickly and then seek God's guidance - "OK, where is it that you need me, if not here?". When I get injured during training right before a big race, I accept my plight and assess my alternatives - "OK, this isn't turning out the way that I had planned, but show me Your plan and how can I glorify You through what has happened to me!". You can either let setbacks define you or REFINE you.... "to improve or to perfect you". At the time, whatever it is you are going through doesn't feel like it's serving to improve or perfect you, but ultimately it does and it will, provided you Keep the Faith - and seek the answer to the question, "What is it that I'm supposed to learn from this?" In the end, the sense of accomplishment and joy which comes from realizing that dream or pursuing that passion will feel that much more amazing and taste that much sweeter because of the setbacks you experienced - and overcame - along the way. Stop the defining and embrace the REFINING!

BELIEVE. PHIL 4:13