History is replete with individuals who persevered through immense setbacks and ultimately achieved greatness. Setbacks do not signal the end but may be necessary for refining our purpose and resilience. In retrospect, many of the obstacles that once felt insurmountable become steppingstones to greater things. Keep saying good morning setbacks will come, but with faith as your compass, you can navigate setbacks not as dead ends, but as detours leading to undiscovered destinations. Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Years later, he told them in: Genesis 50:20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. 

When setbacks strike, the initial impulse may be to give up or to wallow in self-pity. However, cultivating a mindset of resilience transforms these disappointments into opportunities for learning and growth. Those who believe that their abilities and intelligence can be developed are more likely to persevere and ultimately succeed. A resilient mindset does not prevent pain or shield you from failure, but it allows you to view the experiences as temporary and surmountable. Resilient individuals instead of asking, "Why me", ask, what can I learn from this – and see setbacks not as defining moments but as chapters to a much larger story. 

I know how hard it can be to hold on to hope when it feels like things will never change. Now I view setbacks as part of my journey rather than the end – I ask God what lessons can be learned, what strengths can be developed, and what opportunities might arise from the situation. Reconnecting with your motivations can reignite the faith needed to persevere. Faith does not guarantee immediate outcomes, but it opens the door to new possibilities. It shifts your focus from what was lost to what can still be gained. Faith is not the denial of difficulty, but the embracing of possibility. 

Thank you for your financial contributions to support the church's work. Please continue to mail your checks to Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church, 2701 Lee St, Houston, Texas 77026, or use Givelify.com (Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church—Houston, Texas). 

Finally, I would like to leave you with this thought for meditation: "Faith gives you an inner strength and a sense of balance and perspective in life." —Gregory Peck 

Kevin L. Bullock, Sr. - Pastor