By Pastor Lawson Perdue

I’m excited to share with you that when you let God rewrite your story, your setback is setting you up for a comeback! How do I know? I’ve experienced that over and over. I don’t talk about my problems and tests until they are a testimony! But when I let God work in my situations, things turn out much better than I could have imagined. What God does for me, He will do for you because He is no respecter of people (Acts 10:34). Let’s explore how God restores and rewrites setbacks into setups for success and opportunities to give God the glory!

God Rewrites Your Story When You Trust Him with the Outcome

One of my favorite stories of people who let God rewrite their lives is Joseph. His rewrite was better than the original good life he had as his father’s favorite of twelve sons. He went through enormous difficulties along the way: being sold as a slave by his brothers, being wrongfully imprisoned, and being forgotten about by someone he helped. But because he trusted in God, his story was rewritten, and he became 2nd in Egypt under Pharaoh.

Bible Verses About Comeback and Restoration

There are many Bible verses about making a comeback and restoration:

“For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,”says the Lord. -Jeremiah 30:17

“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.” -Joel 2:25

“To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” -Isaiah 61:3

“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” -Peter 5:10

Does God Use Broken People?

Restoration is what God does when we don’t think it is possible. I’ve been asked why God uses broken people, and the simple answer is that’s the only kind of people there are in this world! We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Stop and think about it; in order to be restored, something has to be broken. The key is we don’t need to remain broken because God restores—when we allow Him.

What Is God’s Plan for My Life After Failure?

If you wonder what God’s plan for your life is after failure, or whether there is hope after hitting rock bottom, you can look to the life of Peter, who needed a rewrite after he denied Jesus three times. Peter had a difficult time forgiving himself after such a public failure, but Jesus not only forgave Him—He restored and empowered Peter to be a foundational leader in the early church. Peter’s rewrite led him from denying Jesus to preaching a sermon about Jesus, resulting in 3,000 new converts!

Why Does God Allow Setbacks?

When people wonder why God allows their setbacks, it is important to remember that God isn’t in heaven pulling strings like we’re puppets. He created us with free choice, and often our choices have consequences that lead to the setbacks we experience. God is our greatest asset when we face a setback because He can turn things for our good (Romans 8:28). The turnaround time can seem slow or painful, but cooperating with God’s restoration plan is always the best thing we can do.

How Does God Prepare Us During the Waiting Period?

This question is best answered by considering how we will use the tools God has already prepared for us: God’s Word has the answers we need; the Holy Spirit is within believers, helping and guiding us; and God often speaks to us through spiritual, spirit-led mentors. God sees the end from the beginning and sees what we do not see. When we trust Him and exercise our faith, the waiting period can be a time of surrendering to God’s will and deepening our relationship with Him.

What Does It Mean to Surrender to God’s Will?

If you’re unsure what it means to surrender to God’s will, simply make Jesus the Lord of your life and follow Him. So often, the problems come from trying to get God to surrender to our will. He created each person with a good plan and purpose (Jeremiah 29:11). He’s the best writer of our story because He knows the entirety of our days (Psalm 139:16).

How Do I Rebuild My Faith After Failure?

Some people are unsure of how to rebuild their faith after a failure. I challenge everyone to read Hebrews chapter 11, known as the “Faith Hall of Fame.” I don’t think it’s possible to read that chapter and remain faithless. Throughout the Bible, we see that God worked in people’s lives, rewriting and restoring them as they turned to Him. Don’t miss the opportunity to let your problems and failures point you to God and let Him change the ending of your story into a success.

Can God Really Change My Story?

I hope you will believe that God really can change your story! Give Him the pen and watch

how he rewrites your story for His glory!

You can listen to a free digital download of Pastor Lawson Perdue’s 3-part series “Receiving God’s Best.” All throughout scripture, we see that God wants what is best for all humanity. Even when people make choices that negatively impact their lives and others, God always has a plan for restoration. Always know that God has a great plan for you and wishes for you to prosper in every area of your life. Download the series.