Setbacks Can’t Derail God’s Purpose By Rick Warren
“Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.” Acts 27:24 (NLT)
Sometimes a setback is rooted in your own actions or choices. You made a mistake. You did something that hurt another person. You disobeyed God. And now you’re facing a storm as a result.
But often the storms we face in life aren’t because of something we did. Instead, we suffer because of other people’s poor decisions—or even their sins.
Acts 27 gives us a dramatic example of suffering a setback because of the foolish choices of others. Paul had been unfairly put on trial for crimes he didn’t commit. He was a Roman citizen, so he had the opportunity to appeal to Caesar in capital-offense cases.
On the prison ship heading toward Rome, Paul told the others that they were headed toward disaster. But no one listened, and it didn’t take too long before they hit a terrible storm.
But that didn’t mean the storm sidetracked God’s purpose for Paul—and a storm doesn’t have to sidetrack God’s purpose for you either.
God’s purpose for your life is greater than any setback you’ll ever go through. An angel assured Paul of that in Acts 27:24: “Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you” (NLT).
The angel told Paul that, despite the setback, he would one day stand before Caesar and share his testimony. God’s purpose wouldn’t be thwarted.
God doesn’t need a Plan B for your life. Hitting a setback—whether it’s your fault or someone else’s—doesn’t mean God won’t work through your life. When disaster hits, God just fits it into his plans.
When someone else’s decision turns your life upside down, God uses it for his glory.
When someone else’s mistake puts you in a difficult situation, God works through it anyway.
When you feel like you’ve lost everything, God does the incredible so you can do the impossible.
You can’t sink God’s purpose. Neither can anyone else.
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Your Gift Brings Hope to the World
Ground Yourself in God’s Word and Discover the Path to True Happiness
Scripture memorization is a powerful tool to help you remember God’s promises, principles, and the purposes he has for you.
That’s why Pastor Rick created the TheHabits of HappinessScripture card set—with 52 key verses from his teaching series, The Habits of Happiness, that will help you discover God’s path to true and lasting happiness.
These colorful, eye-catching cards make it easy to memorize the Word of God so you have it when you need it most.
We'll send you the The Habits of Happiness Scripture cards to say thanks for your gift below to share the hope of Jesus Christ with people around the world through Daily Hope.
So request the cards now—and experience the true happiness God wants for you!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of “current offer” materials you received from Daily Hope.
