Coronavirus Have You Feeling Bitter About 2020? Here Are Two Things That Can Help You Redeem The Year and Turn Obstacles Into Opportunities
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Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash
One of the last emails I sent before the dawn of 2020 contained this cheery little line: “2020 is just a few days away, and I'm excited!”
I was indeed excited at the start of this year. I know many others were as well. 2020 is a big year, and something about it felt extra special.
Now, just a few months into the year, we’re in the middle of a pandemic and global lockdown and many are turning a cold shoulder to 2020.
I’ve read multiple comments from people expressing the wish for 2020 to be over. One meme I’ve seen features a picture of baby Yoda, with this caption: “I’ve almost completed my 90 day trial of 2020. How do I cancel?”
Perhaps you’re feeling that way too. I understand the discouragement. This is a really hard and even heartbreaking season for many.
But can I tell you a little secret?
I’m still enthusiastic about 2020. I haven’t been able to shake it. I still think there’s something special and important about this year.
As I’ve been reflecting on current events over the last weeks, there are two words/phrases that keep coming to mind. I want to share them with you in the hope that they encourage you and help you make the most of this time.
But before I do that, I want to revisit the story of someone who faced major upheaval to his plans, dreams, and normal routine, and in the end, came out the other side better off than he was to begin with.
FROM DREAMER TO DUNGEON TO WORLD LEADER
Remember Joseph of the Old Testament? He was given two prophetic dreams foretelling his future as a great ruler. For a while, things seemed to be going pretty well. He was his father’s most-loved son, and when he received a multi-colored coat from his father—a gift that signified favor and authority—I imagine he saw it as confirmation that he was destined for great things.
But then he hit a series of major obstacles. First, he was sold to slave traders by his own brothers. Then he was accused of a crime he didn’t commit. Finally, he was thrown into an Egyptian prison. As a forgotten outcast, he must have felt further from his dreams than ever. Perhaps his dreams even seemed impossible.
But as distressing as Joseph’s circumstances were, they were exactly what God used to get Joseph exactly where He wanted him to be.
God used Joseph’s many trials and his time in prison to prepare him and launch him into his destiny as second in command of the most powerful nation on Earth at the time. In this position of leadership, Joseph was instrumental in saving the whole country, as well as his entire family, from a severe famine.
WHEN OBSTACLES BECOME OPPORTUNITIES
Earlier I mentioned there are two words/phrases that I’ve had in my mind and have felt in my spirit over the last several weeks. One is the word “pivot.”
Pivot
When we hit an obstacle, we may be tempted to grow discouraged and maybe even give up. Losing a job or having a dream put on hold can be extremely difficult. It’s certainly okay to express sadness, but we also don’t want an obstacle to stop us from progressing. If we can resist the temptation to stall out and instead pivot, our obstacle can turn into an opportunity. Pivoting sustains our momentum while taking us in a new direction, and new paths often provide unexpected connections and resources we wouldn’t have found if we hadn’t pivoted.
Here are some questions to prayerfully consider:
What is the biggest obstacle I’m facing right now? What opportunity is there in this obstacle? How might God want me to pivot right now?
Divine Reset
The other phrase I’ve had resonating in my heart is “divine reset.”
During this time of shaking, we have an opportunity to do some sorting. This is a good time to assess whether there are any areas of your life that need to be reset. Do you need to reset your goals, your relationships, your career, your attitude, or your connection with God?
I believe there is a special grace for fresh starts in this season, so if you’re feeling a need for a fresh start in any area, turn your heart toward God and seek Him for whatever divine reset you need! For example, if you’ve been wanting a new job or you’ve lost a job, God can use this challenging season to guide you into an even better, more fulfilling job.
Here are some questions to prayerfully consider:
Is there any area I need a divine reset in? Are there any responsibilities, relationships, or habits I need to let go of in order to move forward in my purpose? Is there anything new I need to take hold of?
WHAT THE ENEMY MEANS FOR EVIL, GOD CAN USE FOR GOOD
Joseph once said this to his brothers: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” (Genesis 50:20 NLT).
What Satan intends for our harm, God can use for our good.
I believe that, just like Joseph, God wants to take our obstacles and use them to launch us further into our destiny and His purpose for us.
If you’re feeling bitter toward this season and pining for the end of 2020, I want to encourage you to hold on to hope. There is still something really special about 2020. God has good things in store, but to receive all He has for us we must keep believing, keep declaring His truth, keep spending time with Him, and keep trusting that He is bigger than our circumstances.
Seeking God for ways He might want us to pivot or reset are two things we can do to partner with Him in moving forward in our purpose, even in the midst of trying times.
The coronavirus is not the end of the story. It’s a chapter in a much bigger narrative and we will move beyond this!
You are in my thoughts and prayers,
In purpose and faith,
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I want to hear from you!
How are you feeling about 2020? What have you done to helpful yourself make the most of this unexpected season? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!
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P.S.
I wrote this post because I’m on a mission to encourage and equip women to live the life of faith, passion, and purpose that we were made for. You can help make a difference by sharing this post with a friend (or friends!) who you think would be encouraged or inspired by it. Thanks!
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