Life-Giving Words of Hope & Encouragement

Feeling discouraged and questioning why something has happened in your life is normal. But here’s the key: setbacks aren’t always there to stop you. If you maintain the right attitude, a setback can shift you into a position of advancement, greater influence, and better relationships. God uses difficult times to prepare us for new opportunities. Without doors closing, we would never leave our comfort zone. We may not like it, but setbacks force us to change and grow. Without the wine running out at the wedding in Cana, we wouldn’t have witnessed Jesus’ first miracle. And without Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, we wouldn’t have the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Phil, on Sunday, talked about how, in Acts chapter 2, the disciples were in the upper room when the Holy Spirit came in like a rushing mighty wind. This was a game-changer as they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. They knew that God was with them and that they would do great things. However, in chapter 8, a man named Saul came on the scene. He hated the disciples and had orders from the government to have them arrested and put in jail. Acts 8:3 says, “Saul wreaked havoc on the church in Jerusalem.”

The disciples were experiencing God’s favor when Saul suddenly appeared and turned their world upside-down. It’s interesting how Saul’s arrival in Jerusalem caused so much turmoil. Jerusalem, which means the city of peace, was home to many of the disciples. It’s where they felt secure and at ease. But now, this city of peace had become the city of chaos. I’m sure they wondered, “God, where are you? Don’t you see what Saul is doing to us and the church?”

When everything is going well, it’s easy to trust God. The real challenge is maintaining trust in Him when things are uncertain or difficult. During these seasons, it’s important to remember that God is always in control and has a plan for you. Even when everything is falling apart, even when it seems like the sky is falling, it’s setting the stage for something better. God does some of His greatest work behind the scenes.

Doubts want us to think that things won’t work out, that you or your loved ones won’t get better, or that you’ll always be financially ruined. Instead of seeing these as setbacks, consider them as signs that change is coming. One day, you’ll realize that what seemed like a setback was actually preparing you for something greater. The challenges you faced weren’t meant to stop you; they were meant to propel you into new levels of success, promotion, and undiscovered talents.

Saul caused so much trouble in Jerusalem that Philip had to leave Jerusalem and go to Samaria. Scripture doesn’t say Philip prayed and chose to go to Samaria; he didn’t have a choice; he was forced out of Jerusalem. When you’re doing the right thing and a door closes, someone walks away, or a contract ends, that’s not the enemy stopping you; that’s God redirecting you. The enemy might attempt to harm you, but he doesn’t have the final say; you have a hedge of protection around you. If God permits a door to close, we must recognize that some things must end for new things to begin. If someone walked out of your life, they are not a part of your destiny.

I’ve learned that when one door closes, if you stay in faith, God will open a bigger and better door for you. You might be pushed out of one place, but there’s another place waiting for you where you’ll find victory and abundance. God has already prepared this place for you. There are also people whom God has already destined to come into your life—people who will love and support you. So, don’t be discouraged by those who pushed you out, or those who didn’t want to be your friend, or played politics and got the best of you. They can’t stop your destiny.

When Philip arrived in Samaria, he could have been discouraged, but he understood this principle: he knew God was still in control. What’s interesting is that Samaria is where his ministry took off. It’s where he flourished and stepped into a new level. Scripture says Philip saw all kinds of miracles in Samaria: blind eyes were opened, the crippled could walk, and great favor was on his life. He never saw that in Jerusalem. If he had stayed in Jerusalem, he would have missed the fullness of his destiny.

Many times, great shaking precedes great favor, and great difficulties precede great promotion. If you could see what God is up to, you wouldn’t be stressed over the shaking, complaining about the trouble, or upset over the setback. When you realize it’s taking you to Samaria—where you’ll flourish, do things you’ve never dreamed of, and see favor, abundance, and breakthroughs—you will thank God even in the shakings and setbacks.

Scripture says there was great joy in Samaria. Philip left Jerusalem in great distress; it was a great disappointment. But look at how God works: Philip went from great distress to great joy, from great trouble to great victory, and from rejection to people who loved him greatly.

You may have experienced things that have caused you great pain, disappointment, and loss. You might feel bitter or discouraged, but that’s not the end of your story. The enemy might have thought he was stopping you, but stay encouraged because you, too, are moving toward great joy and victory.

You don’t have to look back, reminiscing about the good old days, and wish you were there. The best days of your life are still ahead of you. I’ve learned that when we feel shaken during tough times, God will always give us the necessary grace. His grace is always sufficient, and God has equipped us with the strength for every battle. We won’t be overwhelmed or stressed out if we tap into that strength.

Psalm 37:4 states, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Sometimes, we interpret this as receiving what we want, but it could also mean that God instills those desires within us.

During a difficult time in my life, God changed my desires. I was hesitant to get my hopes up, but I realized I didn’t want to reach the end of my life, regretting not taking a leap of faith. Some opportunities only come once. I understand the pain of losing a dream and the loneliness of dreaming alone, but when you start nurturing the dormant dreams inside you, they will begin to flourish.

Proverbs 13:22 says, “The wealth of the ungodly is being laid up for the righteous.” This means that blessings and resources are planned for those who follow God. Wealth will be transferred from those who do not honor God to those who will use these resources to help others and advance the Kingdom of God.

If we trust in our finances, they can quickly disappear. If we trust in our job or career, things can suddenly change. That’s why it’s so essential to trust in God. He is the One who doesn’t change; He is our source of strength, ideas, creativity, resources, and wisdom. God is the giver of all good things.

According to Psalm 37:19, “Even in famine, the righteous will have more than enough” — not just enough, but an overflow. God’s blessings are on their way to find you.

I’ve learned that God is more about multiplication than addition. A single touch of His favor can push you forward. We often focus on our natural circumstances, thinking things will never work out, but we serve a supernatural God not constrained by our limitations. Just one positive break, one contract, or one phone call, and God will multiply what you have, propelling you to a new level.

The medical report may not look good, and your world may be shaken, but God can do what medicine can’t. He has promised to fulfill the number of your days. Whether a child is off course, your business has declined, or you are in a legal situation, remember that it’s not a surprise to God. He wouldn’t have allowed the shaking if He didn’t already have a solution. Instead of being stressed over the shaking, start thanking Him for the solution: “Father, thank You that a breakthrough is on the way and that what You start, You will finish in my life.”

In Acts chapter 16, Paul and Silas were imprisoned for sharing their faith. They were in the deepest dungeon with chains around their feet. The authorities were so afraid of their influence that they went to great lengths to ensure they couldn’t escape. But God will never let you get into a problem that He can’t get you out of. It may look like your situation doesn’t have a solution and the odds are against you, but God has ways to do things you’ve never thought of. With God, all things are possible.

At midnight, Paul and Silas sang praises and thanked God. Verse 26 says, “Suddenly there came a great earthquake, all the prison foundations were shaken, and immediately the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains were unfastened.” Notice what the shaking did – it opened prison doors and unloosed chains restricting them. Paul and Silas then walked out as free men.

The shaking on the surface may have seemed negative, but Paul wouldn’t have fulfilled his purpose without it. The shaking was necessary to become who he was created to be. We may not like the shake-ups or the times when things seem out of our control, but out of your shaking, new doors will open, new opportunities will arise, new relationships will form, and things you didn’t see coming will happen.

The chains that have been holding you back are about to be released: chains of depression, chains of lack and struggle, and chains of addiction. Please don’t lose hope in your shaking; it’s serving a purpose. God is using it to move you forward to your own Samaria. I hope that speaks to you, and I pray you have a blessed day!