When God turns setbacks into setups for His Glory

Life is full of moments that don’t go the way we expect. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, things fall apart. We lose opportunities, relationships break down, doors close, or trials come our way without warning. In those moments, it is easy to feel forgotten or abandoned by God. But as believers, we must remember this eternal truth: what looks like a setback in our eyes may actually be a setup in God’s plan for our lives.

Take Joseph’s story in the Bible (Genesis 37–50). He was betrayed by his own brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and thrown into prison. At face value, Joseph’s life was full of pain and injustice. Yet, through every trial, God was working behind the scenes. The very prison Joseph was thrown into became the place of his promotion. In the end, he rose to become the second most powerful man in Egypt and was used by God to save many lives during a great famine.

Joseph himself declared to his brothers, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20). His story is proof that God’s purpose always prevails, even through human failure and suffering.

In our daily lives, we may not face the same trials Joseph did, but we still encounter disappointments. Maybe you applied for a job you didn’t get, or a friendship you valued has ended, or the business you invested in collapsed. Perhaps you have been praying for a breakthrough that has not yet arrived. It is natural to ask, “Why me, Lord?”

But remember this: God is not surprised by your situation. Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Even when we don’t see it, God is weaving the pieces of our story together for a greater purpose.

Think of the cross of Jesus Christ. On the surface, it was the greatest injustice ever—an innocent man condemned and crucified. To His followers, it looked like a devastating defeat. But three days later, the resurrection revealed that what seemed like a setback was actually the greatest victory in history. Through the cross, salvation was made available to all mankind.

This is the hope we hold onto: with God, no pain is wasted. No tear goes unnoticed. No trial is meaningless. Every disappointment is an opportunity for God to show His power and redirect us toward His perfect will.

So, dear believer, if you are facing a season of difficulty right now, do not give up. Hold firmly to your faith. Instead of seeing your trial as the end, see it as the beginning of something new that God is preparing. Pray, wait, and trust His timing.

In due season, you will look back and realize that what you thought was your greatest setback was actually the very thing God used to elevate you and draw you closer to Him.

Remember: your story is not over until God says so.