What do you do when you miss a step towards your goal or fail altogether? Do you give up or pick back up where you left off? Quitting due to one setback is a problem that I’ve seen over and over again on all kinds of goals. One in particular, diet and exercise, happens all the time. I’ve done it myself. Missing a day of exercise or eating too many calories for one day doesn’t and shouldn’t reset or kill your long term goals. Most goals and actions should be based on long-term benefit and vision that take small steps along the way. Don’t throw your goal in the trash can just because you miss one step or pause for a moment!

Most of the time setbacks can be traced to an action of ours or a failure to act. But other times they come from things we have no control over. It does not matter how the setback is caused, it only matters how your respond to it. We can learn a lot from Joshua and the Israelites in the Old Testament book of Joshua, chapter 7-8. Joshua has just lead his people across the Jordan River and defeated Jericho in majestic fashion with God’s direction. Then, the Israelites (rather, one of them) falls to temptation and keeps a few items that should be dedicated to God. The result of this action is the loss of a battle with Ai. Joshua falls to his face before God and pleads with him. Why have they lost? This setback crushes the Israelites spirit. God tells Joshua in 7:10 to “Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this?” God directs Joshua to find the sinner and correct it. Once corrected, Joshua again goes out to battle Ai and defeats them. The previous defeat actually works in Israel’s favor as they stage a retreat and draw the fighters into an ambush. (This is a great story with much more detail, read the full version in Joshua chapters 7-8)

There are several more stories about Biblical characters, famous athletes, business founders, politicians and regular joe’s like me that lost, failed or experienced setbacks before becoming successful. For every one of these people, I can imagine there are hundreds who gave up on a goal because of the setbacks encountered. Which side of the story will you choose to be on, success or abandonment? I choose success, even when it means picking myself up, dusting off my pride, and trying again. Setbacks and disappointments are a fact of life. I have them. You will have them. Some will be your fault, some will be from someone else. But don’t let that be the end of your story! Take a small step today toward getting back on the track to reaching your goals.

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